WESTMORLAND and Furness Council has received a funding grant of £330,718 from Phase 2 of Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund. 

This is to make Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres more energy-efficient and sustainable.

As part of decarbonisation plans, £164,987 will be invested at Appleby Leisure Centre and a further £165,731 at Penrith Leisure Centre to make a number of energy-saving improvements.

Both centres will see further photovoltaic (solar) panels installed in addition to those currently in place, additional pipework insulation, and pool hall windows upgraded to triple glazing.

Appleby Leisure Centre will also see upgrades made to its roofing insulation and an automatic door closer installed.

Westmorland and Furness Council assistant director for Community Infrastructure, David Haughian, said: “Securing funding for energy-saving improvements in our leisure centres is not just about reducing costs, it reinforces our commitment to sustainability and acknowledges the importance of leisure provision locally.

“Leisure centres are key to helping our communities keep healthy, active and well, and with the rise in energy costs affecting us all, by making these improvements, we’ll be able to mitigate some of these costs, reduce our carbon emissions, and ensure we provide an improved provision for the long-term."