A Rossendale swimming pool and leisure centre is set for £300,000 of energy efficiency upgrades, under proposals being discussed by borough councillors this week and set to go out for contract bids soon.
Marl Pits pool in Rawtenstall is earmarked for new air handling equipment and swimming pool covers. The equipment should help cut leisure centre energy consumption, utility bills and carbon emissions into the air from traditional heating systems, which are among the challenges currently faced by councils and leisure trusts across the country.
Last year, Whitworth Leisure Centre, which includes a swimming pool, was earmarked for closure with rising costs and a stretched council budget cited as key problems. However, the a campaign was launched and the Whitworth venue was later transferred from the council to a not-for-profit community interest company. Following changes, it reopened this summer. Separately, there was a change with Rossendale Leisure Trust’s top management last year too.
Meanwhile in Pendle. the borough council there faces its own financial and building maintenance pressures too.It is is looking at future options for its three leisure centres at Nelson, Colne and Barnoldswick.
Rossendale Leisure Trust operates local indoor and outdoor facilities including gyms, pool and sports halls on behalf of Rossendale Council. Its other venues include the Adrenaline sport centre in Haslingden, The Hill dry ski slope and The Whitaker Museum in Rawtenstall.
Over the winter,. Rossendale Council successfully bid for a grant of £290,000 from the national Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund to support energy-saving projects at Marl Pits.
Now, leading councillors on its cabinet are being asked to formally note the Sport England funding and agree next steps to award a contract to engineers to install the new equipment.
The funding is designed to support swimming pool operators to reduce energy costs through more economical use of self-generation systems such solar panels, LED lights and high-performance boilers, a report to the cabinet states. But work needs to be dome by March 2025, under the Sport England rules, a report states.
Rossendale’s cabinet meets at the council offices in Bacup on Wednesday, September 18.
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