Work to build a new £21m state-of-the-art leisure centre and community hub in Morpeth is still on track for a public opening in early 2023. 
 

Contractors Willmott Dixon are in week 67 of a 94-week programme of work on the centre which will incorporate a number of energy saving and energy generating technologies to drive down running costs and the environmental impact. 
 

The new leisure centre is expected to run with a 69.7% carbon emission reduction per year, compared to the current Riverside Leisure Centre. 

High efficiency building materials include high density insulated cladding, high energy-efficient glazing with thermal screening, air source heat pumps which use outside heat to help power the buildings, LED lighting throughout, and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. These will all help to reduce the carbon footprint of the new centre and contribute to the council’s vision of a net zero-carbon economy. 
 

The ventilation systems at the leisure centre will also use the latest ‘smart’ technology to increase control and efficiency through the building management system.  
 

The roof of the centre will be fitted with PV solar panels to capture energy from the sun. The clean electricity generated will be used to help run the leisure centre’s fans, pumps, lighting and new heat pumps and will dramatically reduce the amount of electricity being drawn from the grid. 
 

Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for healthy lives said: 

“Sports centres incorporate an extensive array of energy intensive facilities including electrical fitness equipment and swimming pools. In addition, there are the day-to-day lighting, heating and ventilation demands of the property, combined with long opening hours. Consequently, the energy consumption and costs of sports and leisure centres can be considerable. 
 

“Now more than ever we need to increase energy efficiency and the measures we are putting in place during the construction of this new centre will help to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and are another step towards the council’s ambitious plans to be carbon net zero by 2030.” 

Once complete, the new county council funded leisure centre will be home to a six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, spa facilities, a four-court sports hall, a new 100 station gym, a dedicated spinning studio, two fitness studios, a cafe area and soft play.  
 

It will also incorporate a new community services hub which will see the town’s library move back to its former home on Gas House Lane, a customer service centre and a new adult learning facility with classrooms for STEM learning and catering. 
 

Mark Warnes, chief executive of Active Northumberland said: 

“It’s fantastic to see the great progress that has been made over recent months. It really is going to be a fabulous centre, offering a wide range of first-class sport, recreation and wellbeing opportunities for Morpeth and the surrounding communities.” 
 

Local ward councillor David Bawn said: “The new, modern centre will boast a range of energy efficient technologies which will reduce energy bills and keep costs down, putting the centre on a strong financial footing for the future.”