Southdown Sports Club

LEWES, EAST SUSSEX

The Challenge

Southdown Sports Club is based in Lewes and caters for all levels from beginners to competitive sport. It boasts 16 tennis courts including two indoor courts, four squash courts, two netball courts and a flood-lit AstroTurf hockey pitch, as well as the main clubhouse containing changing facilities and a café. Southdown participated in the LoCASE programme to reduce its electricity consumption, which is mostly consumed by flood lights on the outdoor pitches.

The Project

Carbon Smart conducted an energy efficiency audit at Southdown to determine how the club could reduce its electricity consumption, lowering its carbon footprint and on-going running costs. We recommended that Southdown replace the old floodlights with LED energy efficient floodlights, install Voltage Power Optimisation and install solar PV to reduce carbon emissions associated with electricity consumption. Southdown decided to use the LoCASE grant funding to replace the old floodlights above the hockey AstroTurf pitch, which have been successfully replaced with new LED floodlights, specifically designed for hockey pitch use. The LED floodlights cost a total of £26,200, saving Southdown Sports Club a huge £10,000 and 27 tonnes of carbon per year.

The Impact

Southdown Sports Club is thrilled with the new floodlights – the club is saving energy and money, and the members have noticed a huge improvement in the quality of hockey training and matches with the new LED floodlighting. The lights provided by Halliday Lighting are specifically designed for hockey, focusing the light closer to the ground, and providing brighter playing conditions on the pitch.

Testimonial

“The new floodlights are a major investment by the Southdown Sports Club, part funded with a grant from LOCASE. This is a much-needed improvement, and makes training and matches a great deal safer and easier to umpire.”

James Hall, Southdown Sports Club

“The lights will help to develop all the players, and we at Sussex Hockey wish Southdown Sports Club all the success with their new lights.”

Mike Acott, President, Sussex Hockey Association