The programme was led by renewable energy specialist Leisure Energy, working with Alliance Leisure as project delivery partner, with Echo Engineering brought in to deliver the mechanical, electrical, thermal insulation and flushing & dosing scope.

Echo’s Scope Echo Engineering was appointed by Leisure Energy as the M&E subcontractor on the decarbonisation works. Our scope covered:

Mechanical works — pipework, plant interconnections and integration of the new Net Zero Pod® heat pump system into the existing leisure centre heating and hot water infrastructure Electrical works — power distribution, controls and electrical infrastructure supporting the new Net Zero Pod® Thermal insulation — full insulation of new pipework and plant to specification, protecting system efficiency and supporting the project’s energy performance targets Flushing & dosing — pre-commissioning chemical cleaning and water treatment of the new heating circuits in line with BSRIA BG 29 guidance, ready for handover

The Challenge Grantham Meres is a live, fully-operational leisure centre with a 25m swimming pool, gym, studios and family swimming facilities, used by thousands of residents every week. The decarbonisation works had to be sequenced around continued operation of the centre, with shutdowns of heating and hot water systems minimised and carefully coordinated with SKDC and the centre’s operator. The works also required precise integration between new low-carbon plant and the existing centre infrastructure: the Net Zero Pod® heat pump system needed to dovetail with retained services so the centre could continue to deliver pool temperatures, ambient comfort and DHW reliably from day one of changeover. Thermal insulation and flushing & dosing were both critical to protecting the long-term performance and warranty position of the new plant.

Our Approach Working under Leisure Energy’s overall programme management, our in-house mechanical and electrical teams sequenced works to protect centre operations and align with the wider project programme. Pipework, plant interconnections and electrical infrastructure were installed and tested in phases, with thermal insulation completed to specification before pre-commissioning. Flushing and dosing was carried out to BSRIA standards, with water sample testing and sign-off before the system was released to commissioning. Coordination with Leisure Energy and the SKDC estates team ran throughout — daily on key changeover phases — to keep the wider £4m programme on track and protect the council’s operational requirements at the centre.

Programme Outcomes The completed scheme has transformed Grantham Meres into what South Kesteven District Council describes as a benchmark for net zero leisure facilities. Outcomes from the wider programme include:

100% reduction in gas consumption at the leisure centre, with the existing fossil fuel boilers and CHP unit replaced entirely £170,000 forecast annual energy bill saving for South Kesteven District Council 550+ tonnes of CO₂ avoided per year, with the heat pump system delivering at least 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity used (compared to 70–94% efficiency on the previous gas boilers) 574-panel solar PV array providing on-site renewable generation, part-funded by Sport England Significant contribution to SKDC’s target of cutting council operational emissions by 30% by 2030

Quote from the council (from public statement, May 2026):

“Grantham Meres Leisure Centre is now the benchmark for net zero leisure facilities, with the installation of a Net Zero Pod to reduce operational costs, boost efficiency and cut carbon emissions.” — Cllr Rhys Baker, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, South Kesteven District Council

Echo’s Role in Context Public-sector decarbonisation programmes funded through PSDS run to tight grant deadlines, with strict compliance and reporting requirements. Echo’s M&E, insulation and flushing & dosing works were delivered on programme as part of the wider scheme, supporting Leisure Energy and SKDC in completing the project to grant timescales. This project demonstrates Echo’s capability to deliver M&E scope on live leisure environments, integrate with low-carbon plant including air source heat pumps and large-scale solar PV, and work effectively within a multi-partner public-sector programme.