Cornerstone Arts Centre to become greener as major energy upgrade gets underway
A new kind of high-energy performance is coming to Cornerstone Arts Centre this summer – not on stage, but on the roof
Work is set to begin on a major decarbonisation project that will help secure the future of a South Oxfordshire District Council’s much-loved arts and cultural venue.
The work at Cornerstone Arts Centre will reduce its environmental impact while ensuring it remains a vibrant destination for audiences and performers for years to come.
Since opening in 2008, Cornerstone has welcomed more than 400,000 visitors through its doors, hosting everything from acclaimed theatre productions and live music to stand-up comedy, dance, exhibitions and creative workshops. Now the landmark Didcot venue is taking centre stage in the district’s journey towards a more sustainable future, partly thanks to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme – delivered by our teams at Salix.
As part of the funding, from Monday 10 August, contractors will begin replacing the building’s ageing gas boilers with four air source heat pumps and installing 56 solar panels on the roof.
photo credit: South Oxfordshire District Council
Cutting carbon emissions
Once complete, the new renewable energy systems are projected to reduce the arts centre’s carbon emissions by around 55 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, with further savings anticipated through improved technology and system design.
Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix Ian Rodger, said: “We’re delighted to support this project.
“This work demonstrates the importance of investing in our public buildings to tackle climate change while reducing long-term energy costs.
“Upgrading Cornerstone with renewable energy technology will help protect this much-loved community venue for future generations, making it more sustainable, resilient and efficient.”
The improvements are expected to be completed by the end of the year and have been carefully planned to minimise disruption. Most work will take place outside the building, on the roof and at the rear of the site. This means Cornerstone’s programme of performances, exhibitions and community activities will continue largely as normal.
It is our ambition to reduce carbon emissions in the district and in council operations. By making these changes to our arts centre in the heart of Didcot we will effectively be doing both.
Reducing carbon emissions will help tackle climate change, which has been clearly embodied by this long hot summer.
The use of renewable energy at the centre will make it cheaper to run and less vulnerable to sudden rises in energy costs. This will make it sustainable from both a climate and a financial perspective.
A more comfortable space
As well as significantly cutting carbon emissions, the project will improve the comfort of the building through upgraded heating controls and a new building management system, while reducing long-term energy costs and helping to protect the venue from future fluctuations in energy prices.
The project has been funded through a combination of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the grant of more than £370,000 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets at South Oxfordshire District Council Councillor Pieter-Paul Barker, said: “I am delighted to see this work begin at Cornerstone.
“It is our ambition to reduce carbon emissions in the district and in council operations. By making these changes to our arts centre in the heart of Didcot we will effectively be doing both.
“Reducing carbon emissions will help tackle climate change, which has been clearly embodied by this long hot summer.
“The use of renewable energy at the centre will make it cheaper to run and less vulnerable to sudden rises in energy costs. This will make it sustainable from both a climate and a financial perspective.”
