Active Northumberland has appointed Energy Champions at each of its centres as it works to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% in 2023. 
 

A member of staff from each sports centre has been appointed as an Environmental Champion to keep an active eye on all things environmental and help customers and staff to understand the role they can play in helping Active Northumberland reduce its impact on the environment. 

The environmental champions attended a training workshop where they explored what additional measures or behaviours could be adopted to improve the organisation’s environmental impact.  

Active Northumberland has also developed an environmental strategy to ensure the most efficient use of energy, water and material resources and to minimise the production of waste. 

Mark Warnes, Chief Executive of Active Northumberland added: 

 “We are committed to ensuring environmental management is an integral part of our leisure and wellbeing provision. The champions will increase awareness of environmental issues within the company, share good practice and innovative ideas and encourage colleagues and customers to contribute positively to the protection of the environment. Being environmentally aware is everyone’s responsibility.” 

Other environmental measures that are being looked at include fitting new pool covers at some sites to reduce heat loss and increasing the number of recycling stations across the centres. Solar panels have also been fitted to sport centres and ground source heat pumps have been installed at Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre in Alnwick. 

Simple measures such as switching off equipment and air conditioning during quiet times, shutting doors, switching off lights and ensuring taps or showers are not running unnecessarily are also being adopted by staff and customers.  

Northumberland County Councillor, Jeff Watson, cabinet member for Healthy Lives added: 

“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. 
 

“The ultimate goal is to cut carbon emissions, waste and water usage across all of the centres as well as reduce rapidly rising energy costs and increase sustainability, Whilst still maintaining the excellent facilities the public enjoy.”