The replacement of a leaky roof at Aylestone Leisure Centre and installation of a new 3,600m2 array of photovoltaic panels – larger than a dozen tennis courts.
CLIENT: Leicester City Council
PROGRAMME: 32 weeks
FRAMEWORK: Crown Commercial Services (CCS)
VALUE: £1.2 million
The project included the installation of more than 800 new photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of Aylestone Leisure Centre, as part of a citywide programme of investment in low carbon, energy efficient improvements to council buildings which will help make them cheaper to run.
The work at Aylestone Leisure Centre is supported by up to £500,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of Leicester City Council’s successful bid for over £4 million of match-funding to support a range of projects that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Procured through the Crown Commercial Services Framework, the sustainable works will enable the leisure centre to self-generate a large percentage of its energy requirements, reducing demand on the local electricity network.
In partnership with Step Energy, we erected scaffolding and fully refurbished the roof with 4000m2 of upgraded insulation and felt membrane, mineral and felt, circa 800 freestanding weighted ballast arrangement of photovoltaic solar panels, producing a 347kWp system.
“Communication is very good compared to other contractors, this is the easiest project I am dealing with at the moment. The team are coming back with solutions not problems and communicating well.”
John Gaddass, Technical Project Manager – Major Capital Projects, Estates & Building Services – Leicester City Council
The array will generate an estimated 270MWh of renewable electricity in a typical year. As part of the works, new insulation was also fitted to the roof to help reduce heat loss. Together, the roof works are expected to reduce annual energy costs by some £70,000 per year and make the equivalent of more than 60 tonnes in CO2.
The cost of the PV installation could potentially be paid off in as little as 4 years providing a fantastic return on investment for the leisure centre and Leicester City Council.
Social Value achievements
We are very proud to have delivered £379,075 of social and economic value back into the local economy throughout the project.
Key achievements have included:
- 57 hours of support into employment to Bosworth Academy, Martin High School Lionheart Educational Trust, Brookvale and Groby Learning Campus, Judgemeadow College, Birch Wood SEND, Iveshead School, Keyham Lodge SEMH and Leicestershire Cares Ltd WIRE and VIP projects
- 100 hours volunteering in the local community, including 15 on a local environmental project
- 94% local spend within 30 miles including
- 67% spend with local MSMEs
