The next tranche of energy efficiency works at Appleby Leisure Centre is about to get under way, following earlier improvements funded by Sport England and the council that delivered triple glazing and 190 solar panels on the roof.

A £388,000 grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) will fund major plant upgrades, including replacing the existing gas boiler, to further cut carbon and reduce energy use.

The investment forms part of Westmorland and Furness Council’s wider programme to reach carbon net zero by 2037. In 2025, the council secured an additional £1.75 million to support upgrades across four priority buildings: Kendal Leisure Centre, Appleby Leisure Centre, Kendal Market and South Lakeland House, all of which had gas boilers due for renewal.

Run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix, the PSDS enables public sector bodies to decarbonise their estates in line with national climate targets. Under this round of works, all four sites will switch from gas boilers to air source heat pumps, complemented by further energy-saving measures.

The council will contribute at least 12% match funding from its prioritised capital maintenance budget, taking the overall programme value beyond £2 million. Once complete, the projects are expected to save an estimated 343.2 tCO2e annually — roughly the same as driving around the world 52 times.

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This latest award adds to previous successes, including the Low Carbon Skills Fund, also administered by Salix, used to undertake decarbonisation assessments across all 69 council-managed schools. It also builds on Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, which backed triple glazing and solar PV installations at Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres.

At Appleby, contractors will mobilise in the week commencing 30 March. Initial activity will include removing the air handling unit and preparing for the boiler replacement with a high-efficiency air source heat pump. Insulation will also be added to plant room pipework to minimise heat loss.

To carry out this work safely, the swimming pool will close from Monday 30 March for approximately six weeks. The gym and changing rooms will remain open. A short additional closure will be needed at a later stage to complete the final heat pump connection, subject to confirmation from electricity providers.

Parking on site will be reduced to make space for the contractor compound. Visitors are encouraged to walk where possible, use public transport or park elsewhere.

Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which operates Appleby Leisure Centre on behalf of the council, will contact members and swimming lesson customers with full details before work begins. GLL is also liaising directly with schools to arrange alternative health and physical activity options.

While the pool is closed, Appleby memberships will be accepted at all GLL centres in Cumbria, including the nearest sites at Penrith Leisure Centre, Kendal Leisure Centre and The Sands Centre in Carlisle. Timetables are available online and on site, and bookings can be made via the Better UK app, the GLL contact centre and reception desks at participating centres.

Cllr Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said: "Westmorland and Furness aims to be a place where people can live, work, and thrive, while taking a leading role in the shift toward carbon net zero. With the Carbon Management Strategy 2024–2029 as its guide, the Council is steadily advancing toward its target of reaching net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2037, supported by a clear, phased plan to cut carbon output.

"Securing funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme directly supports this strategy, enabling building decarbonisation projects that will deliver real, measurable reductions in the Council’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions."