East Suffolk leisure centres go gas-free, cutting emissions from the council’s biggest carbon polluters

Residents benefit from improved facilities and a more sustainable future for local leisure services and Salix has played a big role

Three leisure centres responsible for around 42% of East Suffolk Council’s operational carbon footprint have switched to cleaner, gas-free heating systems in a £4.6 million project designed to reduce emissions and help protect the future of local leisure services.

Leiston Leisure Centre, Waterlane Leisure Centre and Deben Leisure Centre have completed a major decarbonisation programme, replacing outdated gas heating systems with modern electric technologies, including air source heat pumps and CO₂ heat pump systems.

The improvements mark a significant milestone in the council’s drive to become carbon neutral by 2030, tackling emissions from three of its most energy-intensive buildings while helping to ensure residents can continue to enjoy local swimming, fitness and leisure facilities for years to come.

The £4.6 million programme was supported by £2.8 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme delivered by our teams at Salix.

This is alongside a £2 million investment from East Suffolk Council.

While much of the work focuses on the buildings’ heating and energy systems, the benefits extend beyond reducing carbon emissions. More efficient technology, additional renewable energy generation and improvements to the buildings will help create more sustainable facilities, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the long-term future of services used by local communities.

The project also included a roof upgrade at Deben Leisure Centre and additional solar panels across the three sites to help meet electricity demand and generate more renewable energy on-site.

Councillor Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, said: “The completion of these works is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates our commitment to investing in both our leisure facilities and our environmental responsibilities.

“By moving these centres away from gas and onto cleaner electric heating systems, we are significantly reducing carbon emissions while continuing to provide high-quality facilities for residents to enjoy.”

The leisure centres previously accounted for around 42% of the council’s operational carbon footprint, making them a key priority in its efforts to reduce emissions. Removing gas heating from all three sites represents a major step towards addressing one of the council’s largest sources of greenhouse gases.

The programme builds on earlier environmental improvements at the centres, including LED lighting, better insulation, solar panels and pool covers designed to reduce heat loss.

Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger, added: “Decarbonising our leisure centres is about so much more than technology, it’s about creating healthier communities, improving the spaces where people come together, protecting our planet and making better use of energy and public money.

“By making our leisure centres cleaner, greener and more efficient, we’re investing not just in our buildings, but in the wellbeing of our communities and a more sustainable future for generations to come.

“At Salix we’re proud to support this work.”

At Deben Leisure Centre, solar car ports have also been installed, generating renewable electricity while providing shelter for parked vehicles. The first solar car ports at an East Suffolk Council site, they make use of existing car park space to expand renewable energy generation where opportunities for additional roof-mounted panels are limited.

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is delivered by our teams on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Although many of the changes are behind the scenes, residents can continue to enjoy their local leisure facilities knowing the centres are now operating without gas and are better equipped for a lower-carbon future.