Croydon Leisure Centres Supporting a Greener Future This Net Zero Week

As Net Zero Week (4th–11th July) shines a spotlight on environmental action across the UK, leisure centres across Croydon are playing their part in building a more sustainable future through major environmental improvements and energy-efficiency projects.

Working alongside Croydon Council, Better has delivered a range of upgrades designed to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and help ensure local leisure facilities remain sustainable for future generations while continuing to provide high-quality services for residents.

One of the most significant programmes has focused on improvements at Croydon Sports Arena, Thornton Heath Leisure Centre and South Norwood Leisure Centre.

At Croydon Sports Arena, existing sports floodlighting is being upgraded with modern LED technology. The project has significantly reduced energy consumption while also improving lighting quality for athletes, sports clubs and community users. The final phase of the upgrade is scheduled for completion later this year.

At Thornton Heath Leisure Centre, ageing boiler systems have been replaced with modern, energy-efficient equipment. The upgrade is expected to deliver a reduction in energy consumption of around 30%, helping to lower carbon emissions while improving the reliability and performance of the centre's heating system.

A similar project has recently been completed at South Norwood Leisure Centre, where boilers that had been in operation for more than 20 years have been replaced with new high-efficiency technology. The improvements will help reduce energy use, improve performance and support the centre's long-term sustainability goals.

These projects form part of Better's wider commitment to reducing environmental impact through its Spend to Save (S2S) investment programme, which supports improvements that enhance the environmental performance of leisure facilities.

As Croydon continues its journey towards a lower-carbon future, these projects highlight how leisure centres can play an important role in tackling climate change, reducing energy consumption and creating more sustainable community spaces for everyone.