Two Leeds swimming pools will be closed for almost a month as part of huge £10m renovation works.
Leeds City Council has announced a raft of changes to make the city's leisure centres greener, including the installation of new heating systems and solar panels at its leisure centres.
The council has partnered with energy and regeneration expert EQUANS to fit 3,154 solar panels, while district heating specialists Cenergist will install 22 heat pumps across the sites.
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The scheme will result in 1,487 metric tonnes of CO2 being saved by leisure centres every year, a spokesperson said.
They added that the work installing the upgrades will also help to create skilled green jobs based in Leeds.
As a result of the scheme, between December 16 and January 10, the swimming pools at both Kippax and Rothwell leisure centres will close to allow for preparation work.
The rest of the centres and all other Active Leeds sites will remain open, except during the normal Christmas closing times.
Once completed the work at Kippax and Rothwell leisure centres will see the installation of four heat pumps and 822 solar panels, leading to a combined saving of 332.8 metrics of CO2 a year across both sites every year.
Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said: "Leeds’ community leisure centres have played a key role in the city’s sporting success. We are proud of the way they inspire and train the next generation of sporting stars, as well as helping residents to live healthier, more active lifestyles.
“This multi-million-pound investment demonstrates our commitment to improving community leisure centres and making them fit for a cleaner, greener and more energy secure future.”
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Sean Corcoran, regional director at EQUANS, said: “We’re delighted to bring our expertise of delivering low carbon solutions to this project and to be making a real difference to people in Leeds. Creating cleaner, greener environments is vital as we all work collectively to address climate change.
“We’re proud to be working with forward-thinking partners such as Leeds City Council to help achieve their zero-carbon ambitions and we are pleased to highlight the important work underway to decarbonise homes and public buildings.”
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