Dartford Leisure Centre Slashes Energy Use with Green Upgrades
Significant investment in solar panels, heat pumps, and LED lighting leads to a 20% reduction in energy consumption.
By Natalie Osborne
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a modern leisure centre with solar panels on the roof and car park, illustrating a commitment to green energy.
Dartford Borough Council has achieved a 20% reduction in energy consumption at Fairfield Leisure following a significant programme of energy-saving improvements.
The council, in partnership with Places Leisure and specialist consultants, has implemented a major initiative to reduce energy consumption at the popular community facility. This investment in greener technology has provided clear evidence of the benefits of sustainable upgrades.
The improvements include replacing gas-fired boilers with modern air source heat pumps, installing over 800 solar panels on the centre's roof and car park, and introducing solar thermal technology for swimming pool heating. Energy-efficient LED lighting and an upgraded building energy management system have also been installed to optimise energy use.
The project, which saw significant engineering work carefully coordinated to allow the leisure centre to remain open, benefited from over £1.5 million in Government funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, alongside substantial investment from the Council. This has helped deliver modern, efficient infrastructure and support the long-term sustainability of the facility.
These results align with the Council's wider Planet Dartford initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and supporting the borough's journey towards net zero. Similar improvements have also been made at the Civic Centre, Orchard Theatre, and Acacia Sports Hall.
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"Fairfield Leisure is a fantastic facility at the heart of our community, and it’s particularly encouraging to see that the investment we’ve made with our partners is delivering such positive, measurable results. We’re determined to make meaningful progress on sustainability, and that means taking practical action and being able to demonstrate the difference it’s making. Through Planet Dartford, we’re investing in improvements that reduce our environmental impact, make better use of resources and help secure a greener future for our Borough. This is a great example of how the Council, working alongside our leisure partners, can deliver ambitious projects that make a lasting difference for Dartford and its residents."
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"Sustainability is a key priority for Places Leisure, and we are proud to support projects that deliver lasting benefits for both our customers and the environment. The work at Fairfield Leisure demonstrates the value of strong partnership working and what can be achieved when leisure providers, local authorities and partners share a commitment to investing in the future. Together, we’re creating a facility that will continue to serve residents while contributing to a greener future for Dartford."
The Council will continue to collaborate with partners to identify further opportunities for reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency across the Borough.
