Ealing Council is progressing with plans for an impressive new sports facility at Gurnell Leisure Centre, to create a place for people of all ages to exercise, relax and socialise.

At a meeting of Ealing Council’s cabinet last night, approval was given to start the next phase of the project. This will involve submitting a planning application in the spring, the appointment of a company to build the leisure centre and moving forwards with plans for much needed new homes.

The existing facility has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic as it was deemed unsafe to open.

What’s planned?

The new Gurnell leisure centre will form the centrepiece of Ealing’s leisure quarter. Combining top-class facilities and a delicious new eatery set within beautiful landscaping – you will come for a workout and stay for the day.

A new leisure centre will replace the existing one, with new swimming pools, and improved fitness suite and studios space. There will also be a range of other facilities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy including a climbing wall, soft play areas, meeting and party rooms, and a new café.

Residents can also expect improvements to the surrounding green space and landscaping, including a new outdoor gym, as well as a comeback of much-loved facilities such as the playground, pump track and skate park, designed with the help of Ealing’s sporting clubs. There will also be improved pedestrian paths to the park. A programme of tree planting will take place, creating a unique forest that adds to the local biodiversity.

With sustainability in mind, the council will not only reuse materials from the existing leisure centre but will also use fossil free energy sources.

Councillor Peter Mason, the leader of Ealing Council, said: “With the new leisure centre, we want all our residents to enjoy more active, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyles.

“We know that the closure of Gurnell leisure centre left a gap for so many of our residents. We have a strong track record of investing in high-quality leisure facilities across the borough, including the Everyone Active Acton Centre and Northolt Leisure Centre. The new centre at Gurnell will be the latest example of this.”

Community events

Find out more about the new leisure centre plans and share your views at various events across the borough. You can pop along to one of these sessions:

• Everyone Active Acton Centre on Tuesday 27 February 4pm – 6pm
• Northolt Leisure Centre on Wednesday 28 February 4pm – 6pm
• Dormers Wells Leisure Centre on Thursday 29 February 4pm – 6pm
• Dr Bike session on Sunday 3 March between 1pm and 3pm at Gurnell’s park land
• Meet council officers, specialist leisure architects, masterplan architects and landscape architects at one of 2 sessions on Saturday 24 February at Perceval House – 10am to 12pm or 1pm to 3pm.

You can find the leisure centre addresses on the council’s website.

Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, added: “Over the past year we have been actively listening to the community and gathering feedback to inform the new proposals.

“We are looking forward to seeing you at one of our community events and hearing your feedback.”

The council will submit a planning application for the new leisure centre in the spring. If approved, construction would likely start in 2025, with the new leisure centre to open in 2027.

All cabinet decisions are subject to a call-in period.