New £400,000 solar panels for swimming pool roof

Work to add extra solar panels to the roof of a Lincolnshire sports centre has got under way.

Grantham Meres Leisure Centre is getting an additional 574 panels, funded by a £399,000 grant from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund.

South Kesteven District Council said the installation should save around £50,000 a year in energy costs.

The centre has also received an additional £46,725 to pay for pool covers to keep the water warm.

Council cabinet member Rhys Baker said: "We were delighted that our bid for this funding was successful.

"The council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of residents by providing them with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities - and our leisure centres are a key part of this."

The centre is undergoing a £4m upgrade with the installation of an energy-efficient, low-carbon heating system for its four swimming pools, gym and sports halls.

Earlier this year, the council switched the supplier of the solar panels over ethical concerns within the supply chain.

The Swimming Pool Support Fund was set up to help local authorities with the cost of running pools in the wake of higher energy costs and other price increases, such as the cost of chemicals.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, of Sport England, said swimming pools were "vital community resources".

"Many pools have faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year, as local authorities and operators have battled the challenge of increased energy and wider costs," she said.

"Sport England is proud of the role we've played in supporting these facilities through this difficult period."

Work to install the panels is expected to take three weeks, the council said.

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