Clacton Leisure Centre has been given an eco-friendly overhaul with new energy-efficient LED lighting while things are also heating up with a new sauna.
Work is set to be completed this week on installing the lighting inside the Tendring District Council-run (TDC) facility in Vista Road.
The £135,000 lighting upgrade across the council’s leisure facilities has been funded by the authority’s climate change action plan fund.
Councillor Mick Barry, cabinet member for Leisure and Public Realm at TDC, said: “Works are now almost complete on upgrading the lighting inside Clacton Leisure Centre to improve energy efficiency, which will help to save a substantial amount of money on electricity bills.
“It’s all part of the council’s commitment to reducing the carbon impact of our services at the same time as reducing costs.
“Not only is the council aiming to reduce its own environmental impact, we can also act as a community leader to encourage all of Tendring to take action.
“It’s all part of Our Vision to champion our local environment, while investing at the leisure centre also fits in with our goal to help improve the quality of life of our residents by helping to keep people fit and healthy.”
The sauna in the Wellbeing Zone has been replaced as part of an £27,000 project.
The sauna cabin was not upgraded when the new Wellbeing Zone was created at the centre two years ago because it was thought to be in a reasonable state of repair, but subsequent inspections found its internal wall timber was warping.
TDC’s Cabinet approved plans in April to replace the sauna and Dale Sauna was appointed to carry out the works. The sauna is expected to be open by Monday, 23 September.
Councillor Barry added: “The new sauna looks fantastic – and will be warmly welcomed by our leisure centre customers.
“We recently asked residents for their views on our facilities as part of a consultation into TDC’s draft Sports and Activity Strategy.
“That works means that we can now set out a five-year approach to developing sports and leisure activity across the district.”
Earlier this summer, work was completed on a £322,000 revamp of the leisure centre’s car park.
The revamp included resurfacing the entire site alongside the construction of a new safe crossing area to the leisure centre from neighbouring Clacton County High School and was funded as part of a land swap agreement with Essex County Council to help facilitate the expansion of the school.
