Wallsend and Mayfield Swimming Centres in Newcastle are receiving water heating upgrades, with 30KW of rooftop solar panels and heat pumps to regulate pool water temperatures to around 25 degrees set to be installed at both sites.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, said the City of Newcastle is committed to maintaining and investing in local swimming pools to ensure the community members, sporting clubs and visitors can continue to enjoy the highly valued recreational facilities each year.
“Newcastle’s aquatic facilities play an important role in the community and the City of Newcastle is committed to investing in quality upgrades to local pools,” Mr Nelmes said.
“Our inland swimming centres are utilised 30 weeks per year, from the start of the September school holidays through to the end of the April school holidays, and enhance the lives of community members, sporting clubs and visitors that enjoy the facilities for sporting and leisure, active living and social connection.”
City of Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor, Declan Clausen, said the City of Newcastle is committed to using renewable energy for its inland pool operations, working to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 as part of the City’s adopted Climate Action Plan.
“Currently, the pool heating systems at Wallsend and Mayfield Swimming Centres are aging and ineffective, which impacts the way patrons utilise the facilities throughout the season,” Mr Clausen said.
“City of Newcastle is investing $400,000 in pool heating upgrades as part of projects approved in the 2023 budget. Rooftop solar panels generate electricity, which support the power needs of the heat pump, as well as supply additional power to the facility’s energy needs, with any excess energy returning back to the grid.”
The installation of rooftop solar panels and heat pumps at Wallsend and Mayfield Swimming Centres are scheduled for completion before they reopen in September 2023.
City of Newcastle remains committed to providing high-quality aquatic facilities at Lambton, Wallsend, Beresfield, Mayfield and Stockton.
Feature image provided by City of Newcastle.
