Guide overview

Leisure centres play a vital role in supporting physical activity, social wellbeing and public health, but they are also some of the most energy‑intensive buildings local authorities manage, especially those with swimming pools. Rising energy costs and increasing climate pressures make their decarbonisation a priority for councils seeking to reduce emissions and control long‑term operating costs.

To support this shift, the Midlands Net Zero Hub partnered with ukactive and its Sustainable Futures Advisory Group to produce a practical decarbonisation guide for leisure operators. Developed with funding from the Hub, DESNZ, and Sport England, and technical input from Leisure Energy, it outlines a four‑phase, ten‑step retrofit model and showcases case studies from six Midlands sites. The resource is aimed at local authorities and operators across both in‑house and outsourced service models.

What did this study look into?

This report examines how leisure centres – among the most energy‑intensive buildings in local authority estates – can be rapidly and affordably decarbonised to support local Net Zero ambitions. It provides a practical framework to help councils and operators reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and build more resilient, lower‑cost facilities. The study explores the scale of the challenge, the opportunities for carbon and cost reduction, and the systemic barriers that must be addressed to unlock widespread retrofit across the UK leisure estate. In particular, it looks at:

• The strategic importance of leisure centres: Analysis of their role in public health and community wellbeing, alongside the pressures of rising energy costs, ageing assets, and high operational emissions.
• The case for decarbonisation: Evidence on why urgent action is required, including the sector’s vulnerability to financial shocks and its importance to achieving Net Zero commitments.
• A practical retrofit framework: A four‑phase, ten‑step model enabling local authorities and operators to assess sites, plan upgrades, secure investment, and deliver energy‑saving measures at scale.
• Technical solutions and cost pathways: Overview of energy conservation measures (ECMs), low‑carbon technologies, payback periods, and approaches to prioritising interventions.
• Funding, finance, and business models: Guidance on capital planning, revenue models, grant routes, and leveraging partnerships to make projects investment‑ready.
• Real‑world performance data: Case studies from six leisure centres across the Midlands illustrating achievable carbon savings, operational benefits, and financial outcomes.
• Recommendations for decision‑makers: Insights aimed at councils, operators, and policymakers to accelerate retrofit delivery across both in‑house and outsourced service models.

Midlands case studies

Midlands Net Zero Hub commissioned technical surveys of six leisure centres located across the Midlands region. Data from these facilities forms the technical foundation of this guide, offering real-world examples of retrofit opportunities, cost savings, and emissions reductions. Participating facilities included:

• Harborough Leisure Centre (District of Harborough Council).
• Hinckley Leisure Centre (Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council).
• Loughborough Leisure Centre (Charnwood Council).
• Ashby Leisure Centre (North West Leicestershire Council).
• Huncote Leisure Centre (Blaby District Council, dry side only).
• Parklands Leisure Centre (Oadby & Wigston Council).

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