Dragonfly Leisure: Lighting the way for a greener community sports facility

A positive mindset for change

Operated by the not-for-profit Writhlington Trust, Dragonfly Leisure provide community sports for people of all ages including indoor and outdoor facilities. With energy prices impacting leisure providers, becoming more energy-efficient is high on their agenda.

After an energy survey prompted their internal lighting system to be replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, the next step was to switch to LED floodlighting for the outdoor sports pitch. It’s calculated to reduce annual consumption by 15,000 kWh – roughly 5 times the annual electricity usage of a typical household.

Creating a win-win situation

After a successful application for a Green Business Grant, they were awarded £6,800 towards installation of the new floodlights. They’re now projected to save over £5,000 per year in running costs, funds that can be reinvested directly into the ongoing running of the centre and the community it serves.

Beyond the immediate energy savings, the new LED floodlights are easier to manage, more reliable, and require less maintenance. Users of the sports pitch have also noticed the difference too, commenting on the improved lighting and the enhanced playing experience as a result.

Planning the path to future success

The Trust is committed to continuing its green journey, demonstrating that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand. The Trust is now looking into the use of voltage optimisation, which manages the ideal level of supply for equipment meaning less electricity is wasted.

As Matt explains: “It doesn’t just make good environmental sense; it strengthens business resilience, improves working and customer environments, and inspires pride from the team in being part of a forward-thinking organisation.”