A former mayor has stressed that investing substantially in Didcot’s Wave leisure facility is crucial for the town.

Both the Wave in Didcot and the Thame leisure centre are set to receive £600,000 worth of improvements this month, with the changing rooms undergoing a complete overhaul.

The changing facilities at these two locations require updates to bring them up to modern standards and make them simpler to upkeep.

Refurbishment work will involve fitting water-saving mechanisms in lavatories and shower areas, along with new lighting systems designed to reduce energy consumption.

Gym and studio users will experience some disruption as the changing rooms will be out of service for approximately 10 to 12 weeks during the renovation period, with completion anticipated before the summer season ends.

South Oxfordshire district councillor and former Didcot mayor Mocky Khan commented that he previously took his daughters to the Wave when they were children.

He described it as one of Didcot’s most valuable facilities, emphasising the necessity of maintaining and modernising such assets. He noted the growth of private fitness centres in the area and the importance of ensuring the council’s leisure equipment remains current. Khan expressed his ongoing commitment to securing quality recreational amenities that residents can take pride in, citing the Cornerstone arts centre and Edmunds Park Pavilion as examples. He stated his desire to see the Wave continue as a community asset, acknowledging that an upgrade was overdue and that residents require decent gym facilities to help address obesity concerns. Khan expressed openness to additional funding in the future.

Gym and studio patrons at the Wave have been asked to arrive prepared for exercise during the construction phase.

Limited changing facilities will remain accessible at the Wave when required, while Thame centre will offer restricted access at specific times throughout the day.

Pool services and swimming sessions will continue as normal throughout the renovation period.

Both venues plan to inform customers about progress through their Facebook pages and information displays at the centres.

South Oxfordshire District Council is financing the scheme using developer contributions collected from the local area. The total expenditure amounts to £600,000, with Thame receiving £350,000 and Didcot allocated £250,000.

This initiative follows £140,000 spent at the Wave last year to establish two new spin studios and an additional multi-purpose room.

Pieter-Paul Barker, South Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet member responsible for finance, stated that both Thame and Didcot are well-used facilities and that maintaining them to a high standard while meeting Sport England guidelines is important. He observed that quality amenities at a leisure centre significantly enhance the experience for visitors and expressed satisfaction at being able to utilise developer contributions to support the council’s ongoing work promoting residents’ health and wellbeing.