Wellington Sports Centre has announced the completion of its £3.6million decarbonisation and refurbishment project. 

The centre, which is operated by Everyone Active in partnership with Somerset Council, has had a major overhaul of facilities and a grand opening will be held on Saturday 30 November. 

Somerset Council has called the completion of the project a “major milestone”. 

As well as helping the centre become more environmentally friendly, the refurbishment also includes a brand-new gym, a group cycling studio, and an “improved swimming pool”. 

It involved a “dramatic carbon-cutting makeover” thanks to a £1.54m boost from the government as part of its Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.  

This included replacing old gas boilers with an Air Source Heat Pump, upgrading the air handling system with improved heat recovery, and a new roof with better insulation and solar panels. 

With its gas heating system removed and its energy efficiency improved, the centre should save nearly 220 tonnes of carbon per year. 

Somerset Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Environment and Climate Change said the council “seized an opporunity”. 

Thanks to our bid for Government funding, we’ve been able to make sure that the refurbished centre is not only a fantastic facility for the local community, but also one that will be making carbon savings for years to come,” he said.  

“This all contributes to our work towards a greener more sustainable Somerset.” 

Thomas Travis, Director of contractors Harris Bros and Collard said: “Being one of the first decarbonisation projects within the Southwest, we’re incredibly proud to have played a role in delivering this project for Somerset Council and Everyone Active.” 

Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix Ian Rodger said: “Congratulations to the team at Somerset on the Wellington Sports Centre project.  

“The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides a key route for the public sector to meet vital net zero goals.  

“This is a solid result for Somerset Council, it has not only been able to address energy efficiency, getting rid of those old gas boilers, but it has also managed to make a popular community building a more comfortable place for people to visit.”