Environmentally friendly future for Epworth Leisure Centre

Work has begun to install a new energy efficient heating system at the community owned Epworth Leisure Centre following a £100,000 boost from SSE’s Keadby Wind Farm Sustainable Development Fund.
Councillor Liz Redfern, SDF Panel member and North Lincolnshire Council Leader, Jade Fearon, SSE Liaison Manager, and Rob Jenkins, General Manager Epworth Swimming Pool, with two construction workers for the project.Councillor Liz Redfern, SDF Panel member and North Lincolnshire Council Leader, Jade Fearon, SSE Liaison Manager, and Rob Jenkins, General Manager Epworth Swimming Pool, with two construction workers for the project.
Councillor Liz Redfern, SDF Panel member and North Lincolnshire Council Leader, Jade Fearon, SSE Liaison Manager, and Rob Jenkins, General Manager Epworth Swimming Pool, with two construction workers for the project.

The ground source heat pump system will replace the out dated and inefficient gas boilers which have been used to heat the popular leisure facility for almost 20 years. This will mark the beginning of a new more efficient future, significantly reducing running costs and improving on the centre’s green credentials.

Rob Jenkins, General Manager at Epworth Swimming Pool, said: “The grant awarded to us by SSE has made a huge difference to the project, without it we may not have been able to take things forward. There will be so many benefits to the new heating system. Not only will it mean a lower carbon footprint but also that our running costs will be reduced allowing us to invest in more facilities for all of our users to enjoy.”

Councillor Liz Redfern added: “Seeing this work begin is a real boost for the area. We are proud of the success of Epworth Leisure Centre since its transfer to community ownership. The funding received from the SSE Sustainable Development Fund is going to make a huge difference here. As a panel member for the SDF it is encouraging to see the funding have such a positive impact. I very much look forward to seeing the completion of the upgrade.”

The SSE Sustainable Development Fund was introduced in addition to the Keadby Wind Farm Community Fund, inviting applications from strategic projects across the North Lincolnshire area. It will provide over £4.25m in community benefit across the region in the next 25 years.

Both funds combined represent an investment of £8.5 million over the lifetime of the project. The funds are administered by North Lincolnshire Council on behalf of SSE. To find out more about either fund, or to download an expression of interest form, visit the SSE Keadby Wind Farm Community Fund page.

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