Councillor Shital Manro, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for good growth, has been discussing the ongoing work to secure a positive future for Gurnell Lesiure Centre and deliver new fit-for-purpose facilities for the community in the long-term.
Councillor Manro visited Gurnell this week and provided a video update to residents.
He explained: “We know just how important it is to have modern, high quality leisure facilities available for use by local people and understand the frustration felt by some that Gurnell has had to close its doors. However, I have seen first-hand the centre in its current form – simply put it is not fit-for-purpose and unable to provide basic services to residents.
“But it absolutely remains our intention to reopen the site as a new, modern leisure centre. The previous scheme for comprehensive regeneration did not get planning permission and the same challenges that the previous scheme sought to address still exist.
“Namely, a life-expired building that would cost many millions of pounds and take several years to bring back into a usable state for a short life extension; and the very high cost of a replacement.
“These are challenges we are determined to overcome, so we have commissioned a professional feasibility study in the routes forward that are now available for Gurnell, which will include community involvement in the process.
“We want to ensure that people have a say in big local decisions and a loud voice in shaping the future of their communities. This is no different when it comes to Gurnell, which is why we are setting up a community sounding board to seek the views of residents about what the new centre should have in terms of sports and community provision.
“We are writing to key stakeholders, including the local community, this week and very much hope that the invitation to be part of the process is taken up.
“The council is invested and investing in Gurnell’s future and we will work alongside local people to deliver a new leisure centre the whole community can be proud of.”
