Temporary Boiler Solution Keeps Leisure Centre Operational

Project Background

Local authority leisure centres play a vital role in the community, offering recreational services such as fitness facilities, swimming pools, and sports activities. Many of these centres are now undergoing upgrades to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability.

One such centre was Towcester Centre for Leisure located in Northamptonshire. It offers a wide range of facilities including a 25m swimming pool, a leisure pool, a large gym, fitness studios, a sports hall, and a 3G outdoor pitch. It also features a café, accessible amenities, and a variety of programs for all ages, including group classes, children’s activities, and inclusive community initiatives.

Back in 2024, the centre started the process of decarbonising its infrastructure by removing outdated gas-fired heating systems and replacing them with eco-friendly Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs). However, the centre couldn’t afford to close its doors during the upgrade. They needed a reliable way to maintain heating and hot water while the transition was underway. That’s where Rapid Energy stepped in to assist – providing a seamless, temporary heating solution that allowed the leisure centre to remain operational.

Equipment Deployed

1 x 650kW packaged oil boiler
1 x 4500-litre fuel tank
80 meters of 80mm Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) hose
2 x 80mm camlock to 80mm PN16 connectors
1 x 3-phase 32amp power lead
15 metres of 15mm water hose (backfilling kit)

Challenges

Several challenges arose during the project, which required careful planning and creative solutions:

- Space constraints: The leisure centre’s location had limited space for equipment and installation. This required strategic positioning of the temporary boiler to avoid interfering with ongoing construction work.
- Operational continuity: It was critical that the centre remained operational throughout the installation. Any disruption would have led to financial losses and customer dissatisfaction.
- Integration with new systems: The temporary boiler needed to work seamlessly with the existing infrastructure while not obstructing the installation of the new Air Source Heat Pumps.

Infographic displaying the challenges Rapid Energy faced when producing a temporary boiler solution to a leisure centre.

Installation

The installation process was carefully planned to avoid disruption while facilitating the decarbonisation upgrade. Key steps in the execution included:

Site Assessment: We conducted a thorough assessment of the site to identify the best locations for equipment placement, ensuring that temporary systems did not obstruct the ongoing work or restrict access to essential areas.
Equipment Delivery & Positioning: The 650kW oil boiler and 4500-litre fuel tank were positioned in a space that allowed for easy access for refueling and maintenance. The system was designed for minimal space usage while ensuring maximum efficiency.
Scaffold Gantry Setup: Due to spatial constraints, a scaffold gantry was erected to route the flow and return hoses over a storage compound at the rear of the building. This clever solution allowed us to manage the space limitations without interfering with ongoing construction work.
Connection to Existing Infrastructure: The temporary heating system was connected to the centre’s existing infrastructure, ensuring that there was no interruption to heating or hot water services. All hoses and connectors were securely fitted to guarantee the system’s smooth operation.

Rapid Energy's 600kW packaged boiler outside leisure centre.

Location

Outcome

With the strategic deployment of temporary heating equipment, Towcester Centre for Leisure was able to:

- Stay fully operational during the entire decarbonisation project, from September 2024 to January 2025.
- Avoid service disruptions, keeping the centre’s services available to the public without affecting user comfort.
- Complete the decarbonisation upgrade on schedule, transitioning smoothly to the new, energy-efficient Air Source Heat Pumps.

Infographic displaying the results Rapid Energy produced after installing a temporary boiler solution to a leisure centre.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates the value of well-planned temporary heating solutions during major infrastructure upgrades. By partnering with us, Towcester Centre for Leisure was able to maintain essential services while moving forward with its decarbonisation efforts. The result was an environmentally friendly upgrade completed without compromising the comfort or safety of users.

Don’t risk service disruption during essential upgrades.

We can provide you with a temporary heating or cooling solution to keep your business operational. Fill in the form below.

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