Over the last few years, an increasing number of local authorities have been applying for a share of Sport Wales capital funding. They have been making their leisure centres ‘greener’ and more energy-efficient – lowering their energy bills and improving their facilities with modern, sustainable upgrades.
One local authority that has been particularly forward-thinking is Powys County Council. Together with their leisure partner, Freedom Leisure, they’ve successfully secured capital grants in each of the last three years, receiving a total of £539,000 to upgrade 13 leisure centres.
With capital funding applications reopening in April, many local authorities will be looking to make their facilities more sustainable and resilient for future generations.
Here’s a look at what Powys County Council have been doing, their future plans and their advice for other local authorities.
Energy saving improvements
Capital funding awarded by Sport Wales to Powys County Council and Freedom Leisure has supported:
- destratification fans at all 13 Powys leisure centres to recirculate waste heat in pools and gym, balancing temperatures and comfort.
- solar panels at Flash, Rhayader, Maldwyn, Builth Wells, Brecon leisure centres.
- internal and external LED lighting, which is far more energy-efficient than traditional lighting.
- the installation of one Wales’ first backwash recovery systems at Maldwyn Leisure Centre. This recycles water rather than draining it, saving on water, heating, chlorination and PH correction.
How Powys secure funding
Powys County Council and Freedom Leisure start work well ahead of the grants window reopening.
Months ahead, the team at Freedom Leisure is:
Researching the latest technologies on the market
Freedom Leisure had been talking to the manufacturer of the destratification fans for two years before installing it. And it was a similar lead-in time for the backwash recovery system.
Understanding what would work best
Once a technology is working well in one site, they will explore if other centres are suitable.
Learning from others
The council talks to colleagues in other departments as well as other local authorities to find out which technologies they are using, what’s working well and what are some of the lessons they’ve learned.
Assessing environmental impact
Colleagues within the council’s energy team are also consulted to gain wider expert input which helps prioritise projects.
Estimating costs and exploring funding
While Sport Wales’ capital grants scheme is the biggest funder, the council also explores other funding.
“We continually seek out funding streams that support shared community spaces, especially at our dual-use sites where leisure services and schools can both benefit.” says Lee-Anne Williams, Powys County Council’s Community Wellbeing Development Officer. “We’re also exploring opportunities for low-carbon funding, supported by the council’s energy team.”
Benefits to the community
The partnership between the council and the leisure provider is having a positive environmental impact.
But the moves to be more eco-friendly are also having a knock-on effect when it comes to sports participation. The benefits include:
- A more comfortable and cooler environment for gym-goers thanks to destratification fans.
- 4,500 children learning to swim at energy-efficient pools across Powys every week.
- Women and girls can play netball all year around at Brecon Leisure Centre thanks to LED floodlighting on the outdoor courts.
Future plans
“We’re exploring the potential for new building management systems and replacing heating systems in some of our centres.
“Building management systems are essentially the brains of a building that control ventilation, the pool controls and so on, so making sure we have the most efficient technology has good potential to make carbon savings,” explains Angela Brown, Head of Sustainability and Environmental for Freedom Leisure.
The teams are also looking at:
- more solar panel panels.
- pool circulation pumps to improve energy performance.
- enhancements to air handling and ventilation systems to make buildings more energy efficient.
Angela Brown added: “As a team, we assess projected carbon savings over time to build a clear evidence base for decision-making. This enables us to prioritise projects strategically, ensuring we deliver the greatest environmental impact across our centres.”
The team at Freedom Leisure also has its eye on an exciting new innovation that captures energy from vehicles passing over a 'mechanical speed bump'. It generates clean, sustainable electricity from the downward pressure of vehicles, supplying it directly to the site.
Assessments are currently being done to see which Powys sites might be suitable.
Top tips for your capital funding application
Here are Powys County Council and Freedom Leisure’s top tips for submitting a successful capital funding application:
- Go for it – it is a long process and sometimes it can be a little bit daunting. But, we've learned a lot on this journey and we've learned it together.
- Work in partnership with your leisure provider – without a successful working partnership, we wouldn't be delivering what we're delivering.
- Speak to the team at Sport Wales who can provide advice before you apply.
- Be prepared – don’t wait for the funding window to open to start work. Develop a long-term asset and environmental strategy with a capital roadmap. Decide your priorities and be ‘fund-ready’.
- Keep up to date with the latest technologies – there is always something new being launched.
- Evidence the carbon saving - the manufacturers can help you with this.
- Be clear as to which sports and who in your community will benefit.
- Embed environmental sustainability as a key value in your culture, from your board room to the poolside. That gives confidence to funders like Sport Wales.
- Speak to the team at Sport Wales if your application has been unsuccessful. It might be worth resubmitting it in the next round.
Owen Hathway, Sport Wales’ Assistant Director for Insight, Policy and Public Affairs, says: “It’s really positive to see the sector being innovative and forward-thinking in how it can reduce its carbon footprint and combat the soaring cost of energy bills.
“Powys County Council and Freedom Leisure show that with solid partnership working, the capital funding that we receive from Welsh Government can offer a huge contribution towards making our spaces across sport not only more environmentally-friendly, but also more resilient for generations to come.”
Applying for capital funding
Keep an eye on your inboxes. Applications for capital funding 2026-27 will open in April.
Sport Wales will be inviting applications from local authorities, sport governing bodies and national partners.
If you haven’t received an invitation and expect to receive one, get in touch with your contact at Sport Wales.
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