24th August 2026
South Oxfordshire District Council has completed wide-ranging upgrades at Thame Leisure Centre, with a new lower gym area and much improved changing facilities – all part of a major refurbishment project.
The project, funded through developer contributions to the local community, having transformed much of the ground floor at the leisure centre. The entrance corridor leading to the dry side changing facilities has been widened to improve accessibility, particularly to the fully refurbished accessible toilet. A new bank of lockers is also part of the extensive improvement work.
The former workout studio has been converted into a fully refurbished functional gym with all the state-of-the art equipment including battle ropes, weight training equipment and a multi-point large functional rig, which allows several users to work out on the equipment at the same time. Energy-efficient LED lighting strips that can be adapted to suit different sessions and classes complete the revamped space.
Changing facilities before the refurb
The male and female dry-side changing facilities have been completely modernised with all new tiling and showers, toilets, vanity units and hand driers, as well as new benching and lockers. Plumbing and electrics have been fully renewed, and all lighting upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs. Water-saving devices have been installed to reduce water waste at the site.
New look changing facilities at Thame Leisure Centre
The accessible toilet (pictured below) has also seen a major upgrade with a new shower with seating and grab rails, new toilet and updated décor.
Striking before and after images of the facilities show the scale of improvements that users can expect to see.
Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: ‘We are very pleased with this fantastic refurbishment which upgrades the leisure centre to modern standards – and residents will be impressed when they see the difference.
“Following the instalment of solar panels on the roof last year powering the centre with sustainable energy, the council is continuing that trend of lowering carbon emissions by adding energy-saving LED lights throughout as well as water-saving devices to make Thame Leisure Centre even more sustainable.”
Thame Leisure Centre is run by Better on behalf of the council. Visit the Better Thame Leisure Centre website for opening times and activity information at the leisure centre.
