Pool and gym solar switch-on

Visitors to Hetton Pool and Wellness Centre are now benefiting from more than 430 roof mounted solar panels that are helping keep energy bills down and lowering the city's carbon footprint.

Opened in 2010, the pool, gym and studio facilities at Bernard Park receives between 5,000 and 6,000 visits per week.

This installation is expected to save around £35,000 in operating costs and 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

Work on installing the panels was completed over the winter following planning approvals in autumn last year. After tests, the panels are now generating power during daylight hours to heat the 25 metre pool and help meet the centre's power needs from lighting to gym equipment.

Funding for the project came from a national Sport England grant of £226,00 via the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund. The funding was targeted at easing the financial pressures that councils and leisure operators have been facing because of recent rises in energy and general operating costs.

The City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "This is great news for centre users and residents across our city. Thanks to Sport England for the initial grant and thanks to staff at the City Council and Everyone Active who have seen this project through we are already seeing the benefits.

"As a council we've already installed solar panels in car parks and depots, we have LED lights in buildings, more energy efficient street lighting and we have an ongoing programme of identifying and installing more energy efficiency measures as we invest to save, wherever possible, to help lower our carbon footprint and save on our energy bills."

The latest technology for solar panels allows them to operate on overcast days as they capture diffused light. In direct sunlight, panels operate at 100 per cent.

Cllr Leonard added: "By taking these steps we can make a real difference as we continue to work hard together towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral as a Council by 2030 and as a city by 2040."

The City Council was one of 264 local authorities that received funding for investing in panels, LED lights or other energy saving improvements aimed at improving the efficiency of public facilities with swimming pools.

The council's leisure service partner is Everyone Active and alongside Hetton, it oversees the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Silksworth Community Pool Tennis and Wellness Centre and the Raich Carter Centre in Hendon.

Everyone Active's Contract Manager Ian Bradgate said: "Reducing the centre's carbon footprint is the key aim of this project and we are delighted to play our part in that. Everyone Active will continue to work with the council to achieve their Net Zero ambitions, as part of our own Net Zero Strategy."

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director - Place at Sport England added: "Swimming pools and leisure centres are vital community resources and are enormously important in helping people to be physically active.

"Sport England is proud of the role we play in supporting these facilities. The investment from the Government's Swimming Pool Support Fund at Hetton Pool and Wellness Centre will help improve energy efficiency and enable the centre to be more environmentally and financially sustainable so it remains available for future generations to enjoy."