Alliance Leisure begins works on multi million pound leisure centre decarbonisation project
Wakefield Council is investing millions in carbon cutting technology at Sun Lane Leisure Centre, supporting its commitment to reduce carbon emissions across its estate and work towards net-zero targets.
The multi million pound project is being delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) on behalf of the council. Work is scheduled to begin this autumn with an estimated delivery period of six months. The leisure centre will mostly remain operational throughout, with a short closure when the new heating systems are switched over.
The project will see the centre’s fossil fuel-based heating systems, including gas boilers and the combined heat and power (CHP) unit, replaced by three rooftop air source heat pumps (ASHPs). These will be installed alongside a suite of energy-efficiency upgrades including the installation of solar panels, upgrades to the building management system (BMS), replacement LED lighting throughout, new heat emitters, the integration of an 8,000-litre thermal store to optimise heating performance plus general upgrades to the electrical infrastructure.
“This latest investment is part of our wider decarbonisation journey at Wakefield Council. In 2019 the council declared a climate emergency and issued a pledge to become a carbon neutral authority by 2030. Sun Lane Leisure Centre is one of our most energy-intensive buildings. These works will not only help reduce emissions but will also improve operational efficiency and resilience for the future.”
Funding for this project is being made available through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and the council’s own reserves. A total pot of almost £5 million is being invested which also includes the support of works at Upton Primary School in Pontefract, being delivered separately.
To deliver the project, Alliance Leisure has assembled some of the country’s most experienced leisure development partners. These include: Hensall as Principal Contractor, CGP MEP as MEP designer, Bradshaw, Gass and Hope as Principal Designer, and Axiom as project manager and quantity surveyor.
“Through the UK Leisure Framework, we have delivered many decarbonisation projects for various councils. Bringing together such a stellar group of experts we ensure fast, compliant procurement and a highly efficient delivery from planning through to project completion. This project is no different. Works will ensure a vast improvement in the energy efficiency of the leisure centre, taking the council one step further along its ambitious decarbonisation journey.”
For more information about Alliance Leisure, visit: allianceleisure.co.uk