To reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability, major works at Deben Leisure Centre in Woodbridge are scheduled to begin next month.
East Suffolk Council is undertaking a major decarbonisation project at Deben, Leiston and Waterlane Leisure Centres, supporting the Council’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
The upgrades, funded through the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and by the Council, will modernise aging plant equipment, cut carbon emissions and create more efficient, futureproof leisure facilities.
Work at Deben Leisure Centre will include the installation of an electric air source heat pump system and a new solar-panelled carport generating clean, renewable power. The improvements will ensure more reliable heating, hot water and long-term operational savings.
To enable this work to be safely carried out, the swimming pool and health suite will temporarily close between 6 April and 13 July. All other areas of the centre will remain fully open.
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “These improvements are being carried out as part of our commitment to reduce emissions and lower energy use at our leisure centres and will transform this much-loved community leisure centre into a modern, high-quality, sustainable facility for the community today and for future generations. I am proud that at a time when some councils are having to shut leisure facilities because they are too expensive to operate, we are investing in ours to ensure that residents can take care of their own mental and physical health.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of the swimming pool and would encourage people to explore our other nearby leisure facilities whilst these works are underway.”
Places Leisure, which operates the centre on the council’s behalf, have notified members of the upcoming pool closure. Those with swim only memberships will have their membership frozen, unless members choose to swim instead at Leiston or Felixstowe Leisure Centres. All other membership types are unaffected. Anyone with queries regarding their membership is asked to contact the centre.
A small section of the car park will close for approximately five weeks to enable the installation of the solar carport. The rear car park will stay open throughout the works.