Elswick Community Pool and Gym has reopened following a £3 million programme to modernise the much-loved community facility and dramatically reduce its environmental impact.
Newcastle’s Labour-led Council worked with the pool’s operators, Equans and external funders to install solar panels, low-carbon heating, triple-glazed windows, improved insulation and new pool covers.
The improvements have completely removed the building’s reliance on gas, helping to reduce running costs while safeguarding an important local facility for future generations.
Funding was secured from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Sport England and the North East Combined Authority’s Green New Deal Fund.
The completion of the work was celebrated with a community fun day at the pool on Saturday 19 July.
Cllr Juna Sathian, Labour Cabinet Member for Climate and Transport, welcomed the investment in a facility that plays an important role in the health and wellbeing of the Elswick community.
“This is exactly what Labour investment in our communities looks like: protecting a cherished local facility, reducing its running costs and helping Newcastle respond to the climate emergency.
“Elswick Pool can now continue providing affordable opportunities for people of every age to exercise, learn to swim and improve their wellbeing.”