Lighting upgrades that are part of a renewable energy project at the National Sports Centre have resulted in a 51 per cent saving on electricity costs.

Providing an update on the facility during a Budget debate yesterday, Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, also said that replacement of the ageing changing rooms at the centre was imminent.

In response to questions from Ben Smith, the shadow sports minister, Mr Darrell said: “The total electricity savings due to the renewable energy project, which includes the full change-out of lights, has produced an average of 51 per cent savings in the electricity bill.

“So a 51 per cent saving, on average, due to the lights being changed out for this renewable energy project. That is a significant saving …

“There is an increase of capital development for the NSC and it is $800,000 which will allow for the continued maintenance and upgrade of the facilities.

“Out of last year’s funding, the new changing rooms have been purchased and should be installed very soon. We should see some cranes in the area.”

Mr Smith highlighted that the changing facilities in place that were only supposed to be temporary “have now stayed for an extended period of time … and have actually become unsafe”.

Mr Darrell also addressed past issues regarding general high energy costs at the NSC and provided an update on the solar panel project.

The project has suffered numerous delays, having started with a $3.2 million contract awarded to Atlantic Energy Solutions Group in 2018.

Mr Darrell said the NSC board had informed him that the project remains “partially complete” and that an application for a bulk generation, single-use licence was expected to be submitted before the end of the month.

“The maintenance contract will be negotiated once the system has been fully commissioned,” Mr Darrell added.

The budget estimate for sports facilities administration increased by $1.07 million to $2.64 million.

Mr Darrell said the increase reflected the transfer of the Government's public golf courses — Port Royal and Ocean View — to the Department of Sport and Recreation, coupled with the increase in the operational budget of the NSC.