A rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installation for South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has been successfully completed at Thame Leisure Centre by AIS Interiors. The project was procured via Further Competition through the Decarbonisation Solutions Framework which we manage on behalf of contracting authority Kingston Upon Hull City Council.
The scheme involved installing PV panels on the roofs of the sports hall and main gym, supported by a Sport England grant awarded to help support the swimming pool’s energy consumption. Delivered at a value of £128,000, the project was carried out over five weeks by AIS Interiors and is part of SODC’s wider strategy to lower carbon emissions and reduce operational costs across its leisure facilities.
Prioritising safety in a busy community setting
The leisure centre shares its main access routes with a large secondary school, creating complex site safety considerations. Segregating construction activities from pupils and the public was essential.
AIS Interiors developed a robust solution by:
- Erecting scaffolding directly up the building’s exterior to avoid interaction at ground level
- Scheduling the PV panel delivery during the Easter holidays
- Carefully sequencing activities during term time to minimise footfall disruption
This approach ensured works were completed safely in a live environment without incident, while keeping the leisure centre and school operational throughout.
Supporting sustainability goals
The PV system will generate clean, renewable electricity on site, helping to:
- Lower energy demand from the national grid
- Reduce carbon emissions associated with running the swimming pool and gym
- Deliver long-term cost savings for the council
The project reinforces SODC’s commitment to environmental responsibility and the delivery of practical, high-impact decarbonisation measures.
Enabling swift, compliant delivery
Tom Retallick, Senior Framework Manager at Pagabo, said:
“This project is a great example of how the Decarbonisation Solutions Framework enables clients to act quickly on sustainability priorities. The team navigated a challenging site environment with minimal disruption, delivering a solution that will provide both environmental and cost benefits for years to come.”
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