1st May 2025
Work has begun at Thame Leisure Centre to install just over 150 solar panels, reducing the site's reliance on fossil fuels and lowering its carbon emissions.
The solar panels will cover large areas of the roof space at the centre including the gym and the sports hall. It is estimated the panels will produce 69,000KWh of renewable electricity for the centre. This project follows other work carried out at the site to improve energy efficiency including the installation of LED lighting.
It is anticipated the work to install the solar panels should be completed by early summer 2025. As most of the work will take place outside, it is expected that users will experience minimum disruption.
The project has been made possible thanks to a successful bid by South Oxfordshire District Council for just over £160,000 from Sport England with the Swimming Pool Support Fund – which invests National Lottery and government money each year.
Andrew Busby, South Oxfordshire District Council Head of Development and Corporate Landlord, said: "It's great to see this work is now underway at Thame and the switch to solar will continue at some of our other buildings including Cornerstone, Didcot Wave and Parks Sports Centre. All of these changes will help greatly reduce the council's overall carbon emissions."
Updated information is available on the progress of the work on the council's leisure centre webpage.
