Stokewood Leisure Centre, Bournemouth will soon be harnessing the power of the sun to make the building even more sustainable, reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions.
A 106-panel solar photo voltaic (PV) installation is being mounted on a section of the venue’s new gym extension roof which will convert sunlight into electricity that will then be used to power the building.
It is expected that more than 555,500 KWh will be generated for the venue over 20 years. This will save an estimated 288 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to planting 1,440 trees.
The system has been designed, and will be installed, by Dorset-based Empower Energy Ltd in conjunction with Stokewood’s operator BH Live and Bournemouth Borough Council.
It complements other energy saving initiatives around the venue which includes LED lighting.
The installation will be mounted in the coming weeks and operational by mid-February 2019.
“In the face of increasing costs and the need to be more sustainable, we are continuously seeking more efficient ways to operate our venues,
says Mike Lyons, BH Live’s Director for Sport and Leisure.
“We have experienced encouraging yield from other Solar PV installations at Bournemouth International Centre and are pleased to be working with Empower Energy Ltd on the design and installation at Stokewood.”
Councillor Patrick Oakley, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and the Arts and Local Councillor for Winton East commented,
“Bournemouth Borough Council is fully supportive of this carbon reducing project and the reduction in reliability on the grid infrastructure. This installation is a positive development for the future sustainability of the leisure centre.”
To find out more about Stokewood Leisure Centre visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
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Notes to Editors:
About Stokewood Leisure Centre
Stokewood is operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.
This community venue, in the Winton/Charminster area of Bournemouth, opened as a public baths in 1930 and has 300,000 attendances a year.
It has a 22.8-metre swimming pool, sauna, group exercise and spin studios offering 70+ weekly group exercise classes, personal training and a gym.
Swimming lessons run with BH Live’s Swimming Academy and the venue is also home to local sports clubs for triathlon, water polo, lifeguard training and karate.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Twitter @bhliveactive and Facebook @stokewoodleisurecentre
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With more than five million visits a year and £42 million turnover we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2017/18 we had 4.5 million leisure centre attendances, hosted more than 500 events and sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment event tickets. We also welcomed 59,000 conference and exhibition delegates.
This generated an estimated £53 million in local economic benefit.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Other green credentials:
- The Big Green Awards 2018 – Energy Management Project Award finalist
- 2017 Bournemouth Tourism Award – ‘Green Initiative Award’ winner
- https://www.bhlive.org.uk/solar-chp-and-led-lighting-cut-energy-consumption-in-leading-bournemouth-venues/
- https://www.bhlive.org.uk/new-green-energy/
- https://www.bhlive.org.uk/eurosite-power-chp-goes-live-at-littledown-centre/
- https://www.bhlive.org.uk/sustainability-programme-gets-five-stars-for-bh-live/
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562