Wellbeing boost for leisure centre users as they celebrate green energy upgrades at Northamptonshire sites

The upgrades included the installation of air source heat pumps and solar PV panels, building management system controls and enhanced heating, along with other upgrades and internal refurbishment.

The work meant replacing ageing heating systems, particularly vital for swimming pools that require complex energy management.

Project manager at West Northamptonshire Council, Mark Beddow, said: “The completion of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme works enhances the leisure centre experience for local families, schools, and community groups through improved comfort, making centres warmer, more reliable and more comfortable with reduced running costs. 

“We hope this investment future-proofs these important public assets for the long term. Reliable facilities encourage greater participation in sport and wellbeing activities. 

“These upgraded leisure centres will bring people together, supporting both physical health and stronger community cohesion.”

These improvements are expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, while also cutting future maintenance costs.

The council says the leisure centre experience for local families, schools, and community groups is now better. The centres are warmer, more reliable and more comfortable with reduced running costs. 

It’s hoped the investment future-proofs these important public assets for the long term. 

It’s agreed that reliable facilities encourage greater uptake in sport and wellbeing activities as well as all the social benefits of bringing people together, supporting both physical health and stronger community cohesion.

Mark added: “The upgrades mean warmer pools, more consistent heating, and a more comfortable experience for users of all ages. Whether it is parents at swimming lessons or seniors staying active, the project enhances the role of these centres in promoting community health and connection.

“It is very satisfying to deliver this complex project, especially given the many challenging technical and operational issues we met along the way. Seeing concepts and plans become functioning systems that will benefit West Northamptonshire Council and communities giving a real sense of achievement.

“It feels meaningful to have completed a project that genuinely benefits local people. These centres are more than buildings - they are community hubs - and helping secure their future through this work is something to be proud of.”

There have been challenges along the way. During our day we were able to meet Mark along with contractors team members from Briggs & Forrester, the building contractors, as well as the team from Legacy Leisure who manage the Towcester site.

Parkwood Leisure regional director, Francois Smit said he was thrilled that no centre had to close to users throughout the work ensuring the local community was able to use facilities throughout.

The team agreed that strong communication between the parties has been key. It has also been important to have clear and comprehensive site survey information to support early-stage project feasibility studies and design assessments. 

During the day we also met Keiran Copus, Matt Dickerson and Conty O’Sullivan from Briggs and Forrester, Alex Hall from Ridge & Partners and Andy Harper from Atlas Commercial Consultants.

They have each been engaged in the project and agreed that clear and timely decision-making is key along with a clear project governance plan. Also, decisive, yet flexible procurement has been important ensuring utility coordination is set up.

There have been specific challenges working with leisure centre buildings, especially as services remained open to the public. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme also meant working to tight deadlines.

When we discovered how the project team and leisure centre staff went to great lengths to keep the centres safe, welcoming, and operational throughout the upgrades. 

Programme manager at Salix Rebecca McNamara attended the visit and was impressed by how the council had tackled the works.

She said: “It’s wonderful to visit projects and see how teams have come together to achieve success. The community will benefit not only from more modernised facilities but also know that they are more energy efficient.

“The work across the leisure centres is very impressive and hearing how each centre has tackled individual challenges has been fascinating. These challenges have been overcome by applying some very clever solutions, like the specialised acoustic enclosure at Towcester.”

Mark added: “It is very satisfying to deliver this complex project, especially given the many challenging technical and operational issues we met along the way. 

“Seeing concepts and plans become functioning systems that will benefit West Northamptonshire Council and communities gives a real sense of achievement.

“It feels meaningful to have completed a project that genuinely benefits local people. 

“These centres are more than buildings - they are community hubs - and helping secure their future through this work is something to be proud of.”