Exeter Riverside awarded £3.6 million for major revamp

Exeter’s Riverside Leisure Centre is set for a major low-carbon upgrade after securing a £3.6 million grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The funding, part of Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, will support energy efficiency measures including the installation of air source and water source heat pumps, insulation, and heat recovery systems.

The City Council will contribute an additional £841,286 to the three-year project, which is expected to cut emissions and energy bills significantly.

Currently, Riverside is Exeter City Council’s highest greenhouse gas emitting building, accounting for nearly half of all emissions from the city’s leisure centres.

The carbon-cutting project is expected to displace over 2.5 million kWh of fossil fuel energy and save 458.75 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year.

It will also deliver an estimated £21,038 saving on energy bills annually.

Cllr Matt Vizard, Lead Councillor for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities, said:

“We are delighted that our funding application has been successful.

Decarbonising Riverside leisure centre is a key step towards achieving our net zero target. It demonstrates our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Exeter, ensuring residents can enjoy the leisure facilities for years to come.”

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services & Healthy Living, added:

“The Riverside leisure centre is a very important community resource offering a wide range of sport and exercise opportunities.

This funding will not only improve the Riverside’s carbon footprint, it will reduce energy bills, which is an ongoing challenge in sustaining all leisure facilities. It ensures that the Riverside remains a vibrant and viable centre promoting active and healthy lifestyles.”

The project is expected to futureproof the centre as a key community hub, creating a more comfortable and sustainable environment for users and staff alike.