Events and News

In a significant step toward a greener and more sustainable future, Mid Devon Leisure has successfully switched to new, renewable energy sources.

The switch follows months of improvement works to install ground and air source heat pumps at Exe Valley and Lords Meadow Leisure Centres. The improvements have seen a substantial reduction to gas-fuel use at both centres, saving approximately 450 tonnes of CO2 per year going forward, that’s equivalent to the average car driving 2.2 million miles or 88.3 times around the world.

Control systems at each centre will continue to be monitored and fine-tuned to maximise performance and save even more energy in the coming years.

Councillor Natasha Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said:

“This transition to renewable energy is a vital step in our commitment to combat climate change. Recent changes that we’ve rolled out have improved the customer experience whilst also reducing our carbon impact; it’s a win-win for our residents and the planet.”

The works were enabled through £2.8 million of funding that the Council secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of its Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix. The scheme aims to put the public sector at the forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK.

Further enhancements were made to utilise the remainder of the funding available, with both sites installing bespoke LED floodlights on the outdoor pitches and courts, as well as solar PV.

Councillor David Wulff, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure, said:

“We’re thrilled to bring this series of upgrades to our leisure facilities. These latest additions will allow us to maintain our services into the future, providing an outlet for residents to enhance their quality of life through our diverse recreational offering.”

The improvements follow a successful bid for more than £300k in 2021, which was used to replace the lighting at the Council’s three leisure centres with modern, energy efficient LED lighting.

The Council has also secured additional funding for the existing disabled toilets at each of its leisure sites to be adapted into ‘changing places’ toilets, which will support disabled people with improved access and facilities. Read more: www.middevon.gov.uk/successful-funding-bid-for-accessible-toilets-at-mid-devon-leisure-centres/.

The Council remains committed to sourcing funding to continue to enhance leisure services for Mid Devon residents.