The new heat system sends cold water through the pipes under the ground of the Rebecca Adlington Leisure Centre, which comes out the other end having been warmed and compressed naturally in the earth. This new energy is then used to heat the building and pool.

The green initiative follows the awarding of the leisure contract by Mansfield District Council to Serco Leisure/More Leisure Community Trust in May 2022. The council contributed £333,000 of funding for carbon reduction and energy-saving measures as part of that contract.

Greening works have also taken place at other leisure centres with the installation of solar panels at Oak Tree Leisure Centre and new air handling units to improve circulation at Water Meadows Leisure Complex.

It is hoped these measures will save 417,825kg of carbon dioxide a year and contribute to the council’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint across the district.

"I would like to applaud Mansfield District Council for their innovative approach to the issue of rising energy costs. By keeping these costs down around our centres as much as possible, it allows us as an operator to continue offering value for money options, which helps keep this community active and well,” said Jack Garner, contract manager for More Community Leisure Trust.