Improvements to leisure facilities

People using Summerfields and Falaise Leisure Centres are already seeing the benefits of recent upgrades, with more improvements still to come. 

A new resin floor was finished at the end of 2025 and poolside tiles were replaced earlier this year. More work is planned over Easter including new showers, toilets and vanity units. Freedom Leisure, who manage the centres on behalf of the council, have carried out the work to improve the facilities for everyone who uses them. 

Solar panels were also installed on the roofs of both centres last year. The 120 panels have generated 94MWh (94,000kWh) of energy over the year, saving 17,500kg of CO2. That’s the equivalent of driving the circumference of the Earth six times! Since they were installed, energy use at the centres has dropped by a staggering 42%. 

A number of other changes have been made to help save energy. Pool pumps now run at variable speeds so they don’t use more power than needed, the building management system has been upgraded to better control heating and ventilation, pool covers have been replaced to keep heat in and the solar heating system for the pools has been maintained to help reduce gas use. 

Toby Reed, Freedom Leisure Area Manager, said: “It’s great to see these improvements taking shape at Summerfields and Falaise. We want our centres to be welcoming, comfortable places people enjoy using and we’re reducing our impact on the environment. It’s already making a real difference and there’s more to come.” 

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of Hastings Borough Council and lead councillor for sport and leisure, said: “Having high quality leisure facilities for our residents is one of my top priorities, so it’s great to see these improvements. This work has not only improved the experience for centre users, but we are also seeing environmental benefits too with reduced energy use which also means reduced running costs.”