Works to improve energy efficiency at Ilfracombe Swimming Pool and Gym are now complete.

New solar panels, LED lighting and double glazed windows have been installed at the pool in Hillsborough Road in a £135,000 programme of works.

The solar panels and lighting were delivered thanks to £88,347 of grant funding from Sport England's Swimming Pool Support Fund, which was set up to help local authorities deliver energy efficiency improvements to public facilities and pools.

Funding for the new windows, costing £47,584, was secured from the council's Rural England Prosperity Fund programme.

Parkwood Leisure manage and operate the facilities at Ilfracombe Swimming Pool and Gym on behalf of the council.

Councillor Ricky Knight, Lead Member for Climate and Biodiversity at North Devon Council, said: "These energy efficiency upgrades have helped make Ilfracombe Swimming Pool and Gym more sustainable and give our local community a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective place to stay active and healthy. We are grateful to have been supported by the Rural England Prosperity Fund and Sport England's Swimming Pool Support Fund to deliver these vital efficiency improvements.

Glen Hall, Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure, said: "We are pleased to have worked with our long term partner, North Devon Council in supporting this project. It is a great step forward in promoting sustainability in the leisure industry." 

The Swimming Pool Support Fund has seen £20m provided by Sport England via the National Lottery and just over £40m provided by the Government as part of their commitment to support the long-term sustainability of public leisure.

For more information about Ilfracombe Swimming Pool and Gym, visit the centre's website.