Contractors are set to commence work at Wantage Leisure Centre on Monday, March 10, with the project scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
The upgrades include the installation of triple glazing, replacement and insulation of the roof, alongside the addition of three large air source heat pump units and 115 solar panels. These are designed to heat the building more efficiently, replacing outdated gas boilers. While this work is underway, any planned disruptions will be communicated to visitors of the leisure centre.
Once the decarbonisation enhancements are complete, the focus will shift to fully refurbishing the changing facilities and gym. Councillor Andrew Crawford, cabinet member for finance and property at Vale of White Horse District Council, expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting, “Using renewable energy is not only better for the planet, but it is better for the budget. It will make the site cheaper to run and more economically viable in the long term.”
These energy-efficient improvements are funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, managed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and executed by Salix. The scheme has granted the Vale of White Horse District Council nearly £6 million to upgrade the heating at both Wantage Leisure Centre and the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon, where similar work began previously.
Additional funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy, which collects money from new developments for local infrastructure, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Ian Rodger, director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix, highlighted the urgency of reducing carbon footprints, remarking, “Climate change is already happening, and we have no time to waste.”
After completion, the council anticipates reducing overall carbon emissions by more than 25%, aligning with their goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. With the new measures in place, the Wantage site could save approximately 800,000 kWh annually.
This initiative is part of a national effort, with 183 organizations across the country receiving grants for 231 decarbonisation projects, aiming to reduce reliance on gas and oil in public sector buildings.
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