Work begins on £6m upgrades at Abingdon leisure centres

Work has commenced on a £6 million heating improvement project at the White Horse Leisure Centre in Abingdon, which will install eco-friendly air source heat pumps powered by 600 new solar panels. This initiative, led by the Vale of White Horse District Council, aims to reduce carbon emissions by over 25% and enhance the centre's economic viability by minimizing energy costs. The project is expected to be completed by March 2026, with similar upgrades planned for the Wantage Leisure Centre. Contractors will focus on outdoor work to limit disruption to users. Funding for the improvements is primarily sourced from the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme along with contributions from local developments. Councillor Andrew Crawford emphasized the long-term benefits of renewable energy for the centres.