Press Release

6 May 2025

Solar panels fitted at Fareham Leisure Centre

Last year, Fareham Borough Council announced that it had been awarded funding through the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, managed by Sport England, to provide energy improvements at Fareham Leisure Centre.

The Council put forward a bid for funding for several carbon reduction measures at Fareham Leisure Centre and was awarded a total of £672,400 for these improvements, which included the installation of a significant number of rooftop solar panels.

Since that time, consultants concluded that installing the number of panels originally planned was not achievable. While the Leisure Centre, managed by Everyone Active, benefitted from a significant £6.33 million refurbishment in 2021, the building is over 40 years old and there were a number of challenges which meant that proposed number of solar panels could not be accommodated.

In order to ensure that as much of the funding as possible could still be used efficiently, and within the designated timescales, plans were modified to install a new energy-efficient scheme. This innovative new scheme is still expected to achieve 70% of the original target carbon reduction while working within existing constraints. Sport England also agreed for the Council to use the remaining funding on a solar energy battery storage system for the Leisure Centre for additional energy benefits.

Councillor Connie Hockley, Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council said: “It is testament to the determination of all those involved in the project that, despite an initial setback, Fareham Leisure Centre will be more energy efficient with an impressive 394 solar panels installed. This will go some way towards helping to manage energy costs, while reducing the centre’s carbon footprint. While the original plans have needed to change due to unforeseen circumstances and designated timescales, I am confident that we have delivered the best possible outcome for the Leisure Centre which has been made possible through Sport England funding.”

Peggy Lee, Group Sustainability Manager for Everyone Active, said: “It is great news to have more onsite renewable energy generation with a battery storage system, which will work to further reduce the centre’s carbon footprint. Everyone Active is proud to work alongside the Council to support them in achieving their net zero ambitions, which is the most important part of our own net zero strategy.”

Neil Bland, Managing Director for Leisure Energy concluded: “The completion of the solar panel and battery energy storage installations at Fareham Leisure Centre have provided an effective solution to help the facility in reducing its carbon footprint. Our partnership with Fareham Borough Council and Everyone Active will contribute towards the Council’s net zero targets whilst providing the local community with an economically sustainable sports and fitness centre for future generations.”

To find out more about Fareham Leisure Centre go to www.everyoneactive.com /fareham-leisure-centre. 

ENDS

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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