Hinksey Park users are invited to a drop in event this week to find out about works taking place there this winter as part of the City Council’s goal to be a Zero Carbon Council by 2030.
On Thursday 21 Oct, 2.30-4.30pm, Oxford City Council and contractor Willmott Dixon will be answering questions from anyone who wants to come along to South Oxford Community Centre to find out how the works will affect park access and about the Council’s decarbonisation programme.
A heat pump from Hinksey lake is being installed to heat Hinksey Outdoor Heated Pool, one of the biggest carbon-emitting properties owned by the council. This will mean some areas of the park will be fenced off during the works, access to the lake will be restricted, and some shrubs and smaller trees will be affected. Where trees are impacted they will be replaced or replanted elsewhere in the park. The car parks at Lake Street and the main Hinksey Park car park will also both be affected at times.
Work is also happening at three other leisure sites, Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pool and Leisure Centre, and Barton Leisure Centre to fit heat pumps, overall reducing the City Council’s carbon emissions by 21%. Residents can take this opportunity to ask about the work at these sites as well.
The £10.9m Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) grant funded work is part of the council’s commitment to become a Zero Carbon Council by 2030.
“Leisure centres use a lot of energy to manage temperatures, especially for swimming pools, so using renewable energy can deliver huge carbon savings. Over the winter some parts of Hinksey park and lake will be inaccessible while we install the heat pump and pipes, but Oxford residents have been clear that tackling the climate emergency should be a council priority. If you have questions please come on Thursday, the experts will be there to tell you what work is happening, when it is happening, and how the new heat pumps will save carbon.”
Councillor Mary Clarkson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism
“We are proud to be working in collaboration with Oxford City Council to improve leisure centres in the local community, our team will be at the drop-in event to answer any questions.
“The work being undertaken will provide the people of Oxford with significantly decarbonised leisure facilities. Our team are looking forward to introducing themselves and answering any questions you may have.”
Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon Central South
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