Celebrations as Wantage Leisure Centre reaches its Golden Anniversary

Published 18 May 2026

This weekend marks half a century since Wantage Leisure Centre first opened its doors, and it is just as full of promise as it was in 1976. This golden anniversary year will see an investment of nearly £1million to double the size of the gym and upgrade the swimming pool changing areas. And with the newly installed solar panels and air source heat pumps, the sports centre can look forward to a sustainable future both financially and environmentally.

Black an white pic of a man standing outside a recreation centre — Steve Hancock the then manager in front of the Wantage Recreation Centre as it was known when it opened in 1976. (Photo courtesy of Vale and Downland Museum – Jack Loftin press photos collection)

To mark this special occasion, the centre, run on behalf of Vale of White Horse District Council by GLL (operating as Better), is hosting a celebratory Open Weekend from Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May, welcoming all to enjoy everything the centre has to offer. Throughout the weekend, visitors can take part in a range of free activities including gym taster sessions, group exercise classes and pickleball sessions.

Following its official opening on 22 May 1976, Wantage Leisure Centre has been at the heart of the local community, offering residents of all ages health, fitness, sport and wellbeing opportunities. This is set to continue with work planned later this year to extend the gym to twice its current size, add state of the art equipment as well as a refurbishment of the swimming pool changing area with improved layout, new toilets and LED lighting.

The centre will be more comfortable for visitors thanks to the extensive decarbonisation work on site which has seen a major revamp of the roof, extra insulation and the addition of air source heat pumps – powered by newly installed solar panels – to replace end-of-life gas boilers.

Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Property and Housing (and Wantage ward member) Cllr Andy Crawford said: “Since it opened its doors in 1976, Wantage Leisure Centre has played an important role in our community, helping generations of residents stay active and healthy and offering a place to socialise.

“From swimming lessons and children’s activities to gym memberships and community events, the centre has always offered a place to improve people’s health and wellbeing and I am delighted to say that thanks to all the improvements this will be the case for many years to come.”

Kevin Williams, GLL Partnership Manager, said: “Reaching 50 years is a fantastic achievement and reflects the continued support of local residents, members, partners and staff who have helped shape the centre over the past five decades. The team is delighted to be working closely with Vale of White Horse District Council to celebrate this landmark occasion and recognise the important role the centre continues to play in the community.”

Notes to editors

Mrs R Brightwell at the opening of the the Wantage Leisure Centre in 1976, pictured with Steve Hancock the then manager. (Photo courtesy of Vale and Downland Museum – Jack Loftin press photos collection)

The centre was officially opened on 22 May 1976 by Oxfordshire-born athlete Mrs R Brightwell (nee Ann Packer), who won gold at the 800m race at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Originally from Moulsford, she married fellow Olympian Robbie Brightwell, and opened the centre accompanied by the then manager Steve Hancock.

The upgrade of the gym and changing area will cost £982,000 and will be funded by developer contributions in the area (CIL and S106) and Capital funding from the council’s budget.

As part of this work, Oxfordshire County Council has contributed to the funding through the joint use agreement, and that has enabled Vale of White Horse District Council to carry out additional refurbishments to the roof that will improve the thermal performance of the building. This will help the council to save money on energy costs and help reach their target to reach net zero in its own operations by 2030.

The extensive decarbonisation work is almost complete – two air source heat pumps powered by 127 solar panels – this was possible thanks to the successful bid by the council for funding from The Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund.