Solar panels are set to be installed at leisure centre in an effort to reduce costs and cut carbon emissions.
White Oak Leisure Centre in Hilda May Avenue, Swanley, will welcome 1,000 panels which will produce power throughout the whole year.
White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley. Picture: Everyone Active
Last year, Sevenoaks District Council received £612,950 from the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, which provides grants to reduce energy use at public pools.
The leisure centre opened in February 2022 after the old centre, which was built in the 1960s, was deemed to be coming to the end of its life and too expensive to run.
Instead, a brand new £20million replacement was built next door.
At the time, the plans sparked backlash from scores of residents due to the centre offering less facilities and certain sports groups being forced to relocate.
However, the new complex went ahead in what was heralded as the largest public investment for Swanley in more than 30 years.
The White Oak Leisure Centre gym had a refurb last year. Picture: Everyone Active
It also upgraded the facilities at the site last year in response to demand.
Preparatory works for the solar panels have now started and scaffolding will be going up in the next few days
The project is expected to be completed by March 2025 and the centre will remain open as usual throughout the works.
Cllr Lesley Dyball, the council’s cabinet member for people and places, said: “We are thrilled to have successfully secured funding to help White Oak Leisure Centre go even greener and we cannot wait for the work to get underway.
“Running a swimming pool can be expensive due to the high energy costs.
Cllr Lesley Dyball. Picture: Sevenoaks Borough Council
“So these improvements will reduce the centre’s running costs while helping to cut the District’s carbon footprint for years to come.”
Everyone Active Area contract manager Hasan Romel added: “It is great news that this project will further reduce the centre’s carbon footprint.
“As a result of the energy crisis, we as an organisation, have seen our energy bills more than double.
“The implementation of the solar panels at White Oak Leisure Centre marks a significant step towards reducing the leisure centre’s carbon footprint and simultaneously lowering energy costs.
“Everyone Active is proud to work alongside the council, as part of our Net Zero Strategy, to help achieve our company’s net zero ambitions.”