Leisure Centres are going green!

Carmarthenshire leisure centres are going green to help the planet. Special roadshows are being staged across the county to mark Wales Sustainability Week.

Eco interactive games and an innovative eco driving simulator will be available as part of a week long programme of activities.

Organisers say the initiative has been planned to showcase what customers can do to reduce their carbon footprint.

Advice will be given to educate people about ways of reducing energy and helping the environment.

The Welsh Assembly Government initiative, which runs from May 21-27 is supported by Carmarthenshire County Council, which is spearheading a sustainability drive in the area.

Carmarthen, Llanelli, Amman Valley, St Clears and Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centres are taking part, along with Llandovery Pool and Carmarthen Bowls Centre.

Eco interactive games will include a home display which shows how heat loss from a building can be prevented through insulation and double glazing.

A water polo game will illustrate how much water we use through our daily actions and how it can be reduced.

Quizzes will be held to test environmental knowledge with swimming vouchers on offer.

An eco driving simulator will be showcased by the Energy Saving Trust, and advisors will give tips on how to reduce petrol consumption, get more miles for your money and develop driving techniques.

There will also be general information stalls highlighting the work that is underway in Carmarthenshire to reduce the carbon footprint.

The council’s Sustainability Adviser Eurgain Powell said: “We are doing a huge amount of work to reduce our energy consumption.

“Sites like leisure centres are key areas where we can reduce our energy use, and work is underway to make all our buildings more energy efficient.

“The measures we are putting in place will lead to financial savings, as well as reducing the authority’s energy emissions.

“This new activities programme is part of our ongoing commitment to raising awareness of energy usage in the county and we urge everyone to come along and see what is on offer.”

The events are part of an ongoing drive by the County Council to help save the planet and reduce the soaring cost of energy bills.

Officers are behind a scheme to cut carbon emissions and slash their annual fuel spend.

New initiatives to reduce heating and electrical costs at all council buildings are underway.

Each department has a firm commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, and the leisure team is rolling out a special energy reduction strategy.

Mrs Powell added: “We all need to consider ways of reducing our impact on the planet.

“The measures that are being put in place will lead to real financial savings as well as a reduction in energy costs and our carbon footprint.”

TIMETABLE

• Eco interactive games with the Global Action Plan Team Carmarthen and Llanelli leisure centres Mon 21 May 12-5pm.

• Eco car driving simulator Carmarthen leisure centre May 22-23 10am-5pm.

• Eco car driving simulator Llanelli leisure centre May 24 10am-5pm.

• Information stalls Llandovery Pool, Newcastle Emlyn, Amman Valley and St Clears leisure centres, Carmarthen Bowls Centre May 21-25.