Cotgrave and Keyworth leisure centres welcome £4.1m investment in refurbishments and energy upgrades
Last updated: 12/1/2024
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is investing £4.1m in refurbishments and energy efficient upgrades over the next three years at Cotgrave Leisure Centre and Keyworth Leisure Centre.
The refurbishment programme subject to planning approval will see the decarbonisation of the leisure centre in Cotgrave making it carbon neutral, followed by building repairs and upgrades to the site in Keyworth.
RBC received £1.2m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to help reduce the carbon emissions at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.
The funding will enable the replacement of old boilers and outdated, inefficient heating and hot water systems with new modern, low carbon Air Source Heat Pumps.
Heat pump units will use electricity from renewable sources to efficiently draw heat from the air and transfer it into the swimming pool and surrounding areas, resulting in 250% to 300% energy efficiency.
The leisure centre will also welcome funding to undertake refurbishments which include:
- A new changing places toilet enabling users with mobility challenges to change more easily
- An improved toilet and reception layout
- Widening corridors
- An improved dedicated spin studio
- Larger modern dance studio with improved lighting and sound systems
- Updated and improved layout to the poolside changing rooms.
The Changing Places toilet will be available to use by April 2024 and is courtesy of a £50,000 capital grant investment secured from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Following on from works at Cotgrave the team will move on to Keyworth Leisure Centre which will see essential repairs to the roof and a facelift of toilets, changing room, gym and reception.
Leisure Energy has been appointed as principal contractors to deliver both schemes, with Henry Riley Consultants Limited providing the Council with project management and cost management services.
There will be a period of design before starting the works late next year.
Both centres will continue to be managed by our leisure operator Lex Leisure during the refurbishment programme.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “We’re continuing to invest in our leisure centres across the Borough to enhance the quality of facilities for residents and further help reduce carbon emissions.
“Having significantly invested in West Bridgford and Bingham leisure facilities recently, it’s exciting that we can welcome this further £4.1 funding and help the Council move closer to its zero-carbon agenda by making leisure centres more efficient to run.
“The improvements are also an essential part of our continued effort to increase accessibility of our sports venues across the Borough.”
Leisure Energy’s Strategic Director Mike Worsnop added: “We are delighted to be working with Rushcliffe Borough Council on the decarbonisation and refurbishment projects at Cotgrave and Keyworth leisure centres to assist them with moving towards their net zero goals and maintaining the facilities for future generations.
Managing Director for Parkwood Leisure Glen Hall said: "We are delighted that Rushcliffe Borough Council are investing in these significant improvements at both Cotgrave and Keyworth Leisure Centres.
"We are committed to ensuring that these fantastic developments are maximised by all within the local community and we look forward to the completion of these works."
Henry Riley Executive Director Chris Donachie said: “We are delighted to have assisted with both Cost Consultancy and Project Management services on this project for Rushcliffe Borough Council.
"We are proud that our team has helped achieve the best outcome for the refurbishment including further reductions in carbon emissions.”