Transforming Orpington leisure

multi-million-pound

The substantial upgrades at the leisure centre in the London Borough of Bromley will deliver improved gyms and reconfigured changing rooms with new showers and lockers. A new competition-length pool will be provided to benefit residents and swimming clubs alike, supporting Bromley’s position as a hub for regional sporting activity.

New exercise studios with power-assisted equipment are being created to provide support to those with mobility issues or undergoing rehabilitation. Works will also include essential repairs to the centre and the installation of completely new heating system, which will reduce costs and help ensure the smooth running of the site.

The works are now well underway at the centre, with the swimming pool now drained as part of the strip out works to ready the sites for complete refurbishment.

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “Transforming this centre is a significant investment that we have prioritised, not only to provide an important boost to the borough’s leisure provision, but also to complete essential works to help reduce our future maintenance liabilities, ensuring the centre serves Orpington and council taxpayers effectively for many years to come.”

Scaffolding is now being set up around the Walnuts leisure centre ahead of the more substantial phases of the works. The upgraded centre is set to open next year, following its closure in January to allow for refurbishment.

To minimise disruption during the works, Mytime Active, the borough’s long-standing leisure provider, is running a comprehensive programme of alternative leisure services, including group exercise classes, aquafit, indoor cycling, swimming and a fully equipped gym at the nearby Crofton Halls and Sports Centre, the Darrick Wood swimming pool and Biggin Hill swimming pool.

Steve May, interim Managing Director at Mytime Active, said: “The refurbishment of Walnut’s Leisure Centre is far more than just a fresh coat of paint, it’s an exciting multi-millionpound investment designed to transform the centre into a vibrant hub for our community, ensuring it remains a key resource for generations to come.

“We are committed to offering support whilst the Walnuts is temporarily closed and have invested in a comprehensive wellbeing offering featuring all the same friendly faces our customers know from the centre, including personal trainers and health and wellbeing experts, to keep our Walnuts community together, positive and active.”

The refurbishments are being progressed with the Council’s partner contractors Alliance Leisure, a specialist in leisure centre redevelopment, and sub-contractor Etec Contract Services.

Ruth Ripsher, Delivery Manager at Alliance Leisure Services said: “We’re excited to be getting underway with these works and delivering these leisure improvements based on our 25 years’ experience leading on over 260 high quality leisure centre redevelopments.” https://www.bromley.gov.uk/ LeisureCentresRefurbishment

Updates about the leisure centre works are being provided on the council website.