Waltham Forest Leisure Centre plans given go ahead

Waltham Forest Council, along with operator, Better, is continuing to upgrade the borough’s leisure centre portfolio, having given the go ahead for the redevelopment of another leisure facility, the run down Waltham Forest Pool and Track in Chingford.

The 40-year-old leisure centre has been demolished and work on the rebuild will start in April. It will be relaunched as Waltham Forest Leisure Centre in autumn next year.

This redevelopment is part of the council’s multi-million pound investment programme, which has already delivered five newly-refurbished centres in Chingford, Leytonstone and Walthamstow.

The £26.5m new facility has been designed by AFLS+P architects. It will include a 25m competition pool, a teaching pool, four-court sports hall, dance studios and soft play area for children, a gym, spa and extreme sports zone with a climbing wall.

The borough’s only existing high diving board and dive pit are not being replaced, which has caused some protest among centre users. Although there will be 1m and 3m diving boards.

“It promises to be a landmark leisure venue for residents and visitors to the borough alike, rivalling the biggest and best leisure centres in London,” says Ahsan Khan, cabinet member for health and wellbeing. “We want to give residents the best sports, fitness and health facilities available and it’s fantastic to see so many enjoying our new and improved leisure centres.”

Membership has dropped by one third at the centre, with people opting to use other refurbished centres in the borough, but the redevelopment is expected to bring an extra 175,000 visits, based on user numbers at the council’s five other refurbished centres.

With its investment in facilities, affordable memberships and free swimming to under 18s over 60s and those with a disability, the council is committed to getting residents active.