A first-class new leisure centre moved closer to becoming reality this week as demolition of the old Gurnell Leisure Centre began.
Following approval by Ealing Council’s planning committee in January and the Greater London Authority this month, the removal of the old building will allow construction of a new, landmark leisure centre.
The demolition process began on Monday (24 March) and is expected to take 6 weeks, with work on the new building due to begin later this year.
Olympic-sized pool, skate park and more
The new complex will include a 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool, fitness studios and a climbing wall. It will mean the borough will have 1 of only 3 Olympic-sized swimming pools in London.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a waterpark with slides and a lazy river. In the grounds outside the leisure centre, there will be a new skate park, cycle track, outdoor gym and children’s playground.
And, to retain the greenery and develop the area’s biodiversity, 450 trees are due to be planted around the site. The green space around the new leisure could also form part of the borough’s proposed new regional park.
‘Not just about replacing a building’
The Gurnell redevelopment is a key part of Ealing Council’s long-term plan to create a more vibrant, connected and sustainable borough. Council leader Peter Mason said: “The demolition takes us another step closer to having a modern, state-of-the-art leisure hub in the heart of the borough.
“This project is not just about replacing a building; it’s about providing a lasting legacy that supports the health, happiness, and the wellbeing of the borough’s residents and those who live further away.”
Environmentally-friendly and innovative
Sustainability is a priority for the building design, which is expected to use 81% less energy each year compared to the former leisure centre. It will be one of the UK’s first all-electric leisure centres, This means it will not use gas for heating or power and will, instead, use cleaner energy and not release harmful carbon dioxide emissions into the air, also known as ‘greenhouse gases’.
In addition, the building’s low-carbon design will be achieved through advanced insulation of the walls and roof, along with solar panels for energy. In another environmentally-friendly measure, the pool water will be heated by an innovative way of recycling the surplus, or ‘wasted’, heat generated by other devices in the building.
Also, around 300 new homes have outline planning permission to be built on the site, with around a third of these earmarked for affordable housing.
‘Catalyst for opportunities’
Councillor Blerina Hashani, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “With demolition of the old site in full swing, we can finally move forward to the next step of rebuilding Gurnell, ensuring it is fit for the future. With the site being home to one of just three public 50-metre swimming pools in London, we’re expecting nationwide interest. The entire project is a catalyst for opportunities within the borough.”
The new centre is expected to be open by the end of 2027.
