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Fully refurbished changing rooms and a new gym area: Thame Leisure Centre’s major makeover is complete

Published Monday 24 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.

empty chnaging rooms wirth pale green and cream interior
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.

changing rooms with grey and white interior
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.

Ends

Notes to editors

  • The refurbishment cost £370,000, funded through developer contributions (Community Investment Levy). In addition, the contractors GLL spent £40,000 on the project including purchasing all of the gym equipment and upgrading the new gym area.
  • Work started on 27 April 2026. New gym equipment was installed on 19–20 August as the final phase, completing the project.
  • Thame Leisure Centre is subject to a joint use agreement (JUA) in place with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) regarding the operation of the centre. The county council has supported this work.
  • The council installed 150 solar panels installed on the roof in May 2025, funded by the Swimming Pool Support Fund. They produce around 70,000 kWh of energy a year for the centre.
  • The Thame refurbishment this year follows a similar upgrade of the changing rooms at Didcot Wave, completed in June 2026, as part of the council’s wider investment in leisure facilities across the district.

For media enquiries, please contact the Communications Team at South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council.