Community leisure hub enters new era after sustainability upgrade

Our support helps modernise Wantage Leisure Centre in Oxfordshire improving resilience and reducing emissions

People using an Oxfordshire leisure centre can now enjoy a more sustainable and energy-efficient facility after the completion of a major decarbonisation project funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Wantage Leisure Centre in the Vale of White Horse district of Oxfordshire, has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. It has now undergone a multi-million-pound transformation that replaces ageing gas boilers with modern low-carbon technology. This work helps secure the site’s future for the local community while reducing carbon emissions.

The project was made possible through nearly £6 million of funding awarded to Vale of White Horse District Council through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by our team at Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

For thousands of residents who use the centre each year, the improvements mean a modern, more resilient leisure facility that can continue serving as a hub for health, wellbeing and community activity for decades to come.

Work has included:

• Two large air source heat pumps installed to provide low-carbon heating and hot water. 
• 106 solar panels added to generate renewable electricity on site. 
• Triple glazing fitted to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat loss. 
• Roof insulation upgraded to improve building performance and retain heat. 
• A replacement roof installed as part of the wider modernisation programme. 

Together, the improvements are aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions and helping protect the centre from future energy price volatility.

Councillor Dr Robert Clegg, cabinet member for environmental services, climate action and nature recovery at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This marks a great moment where our buildings move from reliance on fossil fuels - which contribute to climate change and are vulnerable to sudden price rises - to a modern, renewable, sustainable heating system.

“This combined with work on other leisure centres at Abingdon and Faringdon will help us make significant progress towards achieving the council’s ambitious target of becoming net zero in its operations by 2030.”

Salix director of public Sector decarbonisation Ian Rodger said: “Adopting clean energy in leisure centres is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it is about creating healthier, more affordable, and more sustainable spaces for communities.

“Local people will enjoy leisure centres that are vibrant hubs of wellbeing for years to come. This is a great example of how the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has made a real difference to people and buildings.”

The funding also supported similar decarbonisation work at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon, where improvements are nearing completion.

In addition to government funding, the project received support from Community Infrastructure Levy funding, generated through local development, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Once work across both leisure centres is complete, Vale of White Horse District Council estimates its overall carbon emissions will fall by more than 25 per cent.

Councillor Andrew Crawford, cabinet member for finance and property, said: “By switching our leisure centres to renewable energy we’re making them fit for the future. Renewables are better for our planet and our budget. They make the sites cheaper to run and more economically viable in the long term.

“Now the decarbonisation work is completed at Wantage, we can concentrate on the next phase for the centre,  a full refurbishment of the changing facilities and gym.”