Charlestown Swim Centre to go electric in $5 million energy upgrade

newy.com.au – Charlestown Swim Centre will undergo a $5 million upgrade to electrify its operations under a joint funding deal between the Australian Government and Lake Macquarie City Council announced on Wednesday.

The project is aimed at cutting the popular swim centre’s carbon footprint and easing pressure on Council’s operating budget, with new solar power, electric heating and more efficient lighting to replace existing energy-hungry systems.

The Australian Government has committed $2.5 million through its Community Energy Upgrades program, with Lake Macquarie City Council matching the contribution dollar-for-dollar to fully fund the works.

Council says the investment will allow the centre to transition away from gas and reduce its reliance on grid electricity by installing rooftop solar photovoltaic panels and modern electric infrastructure.

Solar PV panels will be installed on the roof of the existing main building and on new shade structures to be constructed over an upgraded south-western car park, providing both additional renewable energy generation and weather protection for vehicles.

Gas boilers currently used to heat the pools will be replaced with electric heat pumps, and existing lighting will be upgraded to LED floodlighting, which typically uses less energy and requires less maintenance than older technologies.

The project also includes an expansion and upgrade of the existing paved car park to formalise parking spaces in the gravel section off Dickinson Street, improving access for visitors during busy periods.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the swim centre’s current energy needs placed a heavy demand on Council resources.

“Charlestown Swim Centre is currently one of the single biggest users of electricity and natural gas in Lake Macquarie, due to the need to heat and light its pools,” he said.

Shultz said moving to electric systems powered by on-site solar generation would deliver both environmental and financial benefits over time.

“Switching to electric will reduce CO2 emissions by about 420 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to powering 60 homes over the same period,” he said.

“It will also save us almost $130,000 a year in electricity and gas bills.”

Council says the work at Charlestown Swim Centre is expected to start this financial year, with the upgrade scheduled to be completed by 2028.