Many local authorities have made ambitious commitments to becoming carbon neutral within the next decade. Leisure buildings, often the largest and most carbon-intensive assets in their portfolios, have become a critical focus for achieving these goals.
Much of England’s leisure building stock dates back to the 1970s and 80s. With a typical lifespan of around 40 years, these facilities were not originally designed with carbon efficiency in mind.
With our in-depth knowledge of the sector and specialist expertise, Serco is partnering with local authorities to identify the best approaches to decarbonising leisure facilities – and implementing solutions that deliver meaningful change.
Driving sustainability in leisure
Switching to green energy is one of the most impactful steps we can take. For example, converting a leisure building to fully electric energy allows it to become carbon neutral when powered by renewable sources.
Heating swimming pools is particularly energy-intensive, so we are focusing on smart ways to reduce energy costs while maintaining high-quality services.
This often involves generating renewable energy on-site, such as:
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Installing solar panels: Photovoltaic systems on building roofs to generate electricity sustainably.
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Deploying heat pumps: Air and ground source heat pumps to produce renewable energy efficiently.
At the Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre in Mansfield, we installed a ground source heat pump. By circulating cold water through pipes buried underground, the system uses the earth’s natural warmth and compression to heat the facility and pool. This initiative is expected to save approximately 417,825 kg of carbon dioxide, significantly reducing the council’s carbon footprint.
Even simpler measures, such as lagging uninsulated pipework, can deliver quick returns on investment. Additionally, smart technologies like intelligent building management systems optimise energy use, ensuring facilities operate efficiently and sustainably.
Enhancing community wellbeing
Beyond sustainability, Serco is helping local authorities maximise the social value of their leisure services. These facilities are vital to the health and well-being of communities, and we are finding new ways to make them more accessible and impactful.
One approach is place-based service delivery, where we bring activities – such as movement sessions – directly to communities. By using local venues and accessible green spaces, we make health and fitness services more convenient while reducing travel-related emissions.
Within leisure centres, we are transforming them into community hubs that go beyond traditional offerings. By partnering with Integrated Care Systems and Social Prescribing networks, we create pathways from primary clinical care to long-term community-based programmes.
For example, some leisure centres now host outpatient services such as post-natal checks, helping hospitals with capacity issues.
Others run early years sessions, as introductions to the wider range of services available.
We are also developing active well-being plans to engage underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, women and girls, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, ensuring these services are inclusive and impactful.
Innovation for positive impact
Innovation is central to improving leisure services for both communities and the environment.
In partnership with EGYM, we’re bringing smart gym equipment and AI-powered fitness apps to more council facilities. These tools personalise fitness programmes based on users’ biological age. By tapping their phone on the equipment, users automatically configure machines to their tailored settings, track progress, and achieve their health goals more effectively.
To improve safety, we’ve also introduced AI-driven pool technology. Smart cameras monitor swimming pools and detect unusual behaviour, such as a swimmer struggling. Alerts are sent directly to lifeguards’ smartwatches, enabling swift intervention.
Making a difference
Through sustainability initiatives, community engagement, and innovative solutions, Serco Leisure Services is transforming how leisure facilities operate.
These efforts are reducing carbon emissions, enhancing health and well-being, and delivering significant efficiencies – all while ensuring a positive impact for local communities and the environment.
