NEWS
IN BRIEF FARNBOROUGH COUNCIL SUBMITS PLANNING APPLICATION A new leisure centre for Hampshire is another step closer, after Rushmoor Borough Council formally submitted a planning application at the end of October outlining its plans to build the new leisure centre and swimming pool in Farnborough town centre. The council plans to build the new leisure centre on the current Queensmead car park and it is set to include a 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool.
PSDS WORKS START AT TIPTON LEISURE CENTRE Alliance Leisure, acting as Sandwell Council’s development partner and Leisure Energy, principal contractor, have begun works at Tipton Leisure Centre in the West Midlands to deliver a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) project that will lower running costs and carbon emissions. The programme replaces ageing fossil fuel gas boilers with a unique sector leading air source heat pump solution, anchored by Leisure Energy’s Net Zero Pod®, alongside new air handling units and a pool heat exchanger. Once operational, the upgrades are expected to achieve a 100% reduction in annual gas consumption and cut around 200 tonnes of CO2 per year. Backed by £2m of investment, largely from Government funding administered by Salix, the project is scheduled to complete by March 2026, supporting Sandwell Council’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030. The Project team, appointed via the UK Leisure Framework (owned by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd), includes Leisure Energy Ltd (principal designer and contractor), Sandwell Leisure Trust (operator), Omega Design Consultants and ORSA Projects Limited.
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Aqua Technics Pools UK Appoint Elite Spas & Leisure Kent-based Aqua Technics Pools UK have announced the appointment of Elite Spas & Leisure as an authorised installer dealer of their one-piece pools. With showrooms in Devon and Cornwall, the move has given the respected wet leisure and garden building retailer territorially exclusive rights to market and install the world’s favourite one-piece pool brand in a key area of the country. Dorian Davies, Aqua Technics Pools UK’s Dealer Network Manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Ian, Chris and the Elite team on board as the latest member of the Aqua Technics UK family. They are a great business with a wonderful reputation in their locale for exemplary customer service and support, and their showrooms are in superb locations with easy access to local markets in the south west of England. We are sure they are going to be a real asset to us and the Aqua Technics brand.” Operations Manager Ian Parker was equally enthusiastic about the new tie-up: “We have been involved with servicing and refurbishing swimming pools as part of our service offer for many years, but had always avoided new pool installs due to the length of time that projects can drag on, and
the potential for things to expensively go wrong. We were delighted to get on board with Aqua Technics Pools as their system allows for much more rapid pool installations, they have impressive UK stocks which means we can start projects with very little delay, and the quality of the product and their USPs are the absolute best on the market. Not only that, but the support from the UK HQ in Kent is superb.” Aqua Technics Pools 07780 991000 www.aquatechnicsuk.com
Major Decarbonisation Work Underway At Loughborough’s ‘Pool Of Dreams’ Loughborough University has launched a major decarbonisation project to transition its worldrenowned swimming pool away from fossil fuels, replacing its gas-fired boiler plant with modern air source heat pumps (ASHPs). The £2.6m initiative is being delivered with support from the government-backed SALIX Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme with the project expected to reduce Loughborough University Scope 1 emissions by around 2.4% (approximately 350 tonnes of CO2 per year). This strategic investment marks a significant step in the University’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions. Alongside decarbonisation, the upgraded system will improve energy efficiency, operational resilience, and enhance the long-term sustainability of the facility. “This transformative decarbonisation project is a major leap toward a more sustainable campus,”
said Elliot Brown, Sustainability Manager at Loughborough University. “As the most gas-intensive building on site, the pool plays a central role in our unique sporting ecosystem, making this transition to low-carbon heating especially impactful. “By switching from gas boilers to air-source heat pumps powered by clean electricity through our net zero for business energy tariff, we are cutting our scope 1 carbon emissions while enhancing energy efficiency and operational resilience. “Once complete, we’ll be tracking performance to make sure the carbon savings are real and longlasting.” The project will also see a number of additional sustainable actions, including: • Replacement of air handling unit (AHU) heating coils • New plate heat exchangers for pool water heating • Installation of thermal stores to meet peak winter heating demands • A comprehensive upgrade to the building’s controls strategy • Additional electrical capacity from the National Grid to support ASHP operation. Loughborough University’s swimming pool has been home to a number of Olympic, Paralympic and world champions over the years, including Adam Peaty, Hannah Moore, Daniel Wiffen, Louise Hansson and Laura Stephens.
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