Date posted 17 May 2018
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Just eight weeks into the new 20 year partnership with Croydon Council, Better Leisure (the customer brand of leading charitable leisure social enterprise provider GLL) is providing details of a modern new look for leisure centres, new sessions and free activities in local parks. 


Starting in August, Thornton Heath, Waddon, South Norwood and Purley Leisure Centres will see a Health and Fitness upgrade including new equipment, new flooring, lighting and full redecoration of gym areas.

After undergoing a major modernisation project, community events venue Ashburton Hall is to become home to local music, health, fitness and performance arts groups as well as being a fantastic venue for parties, weddings, workshops and seminars. The brand new café ‘Better Coffee Corner’ – stocking fair trade items and donating a percentage of profits to a sports charity foundation - is due to open in the summer of 2018.

2018 will also see big plans in a number of parks across the borough to ensure local residents are getting the most out of their open spaces.

Ashburton Park will see an outdoor gym installed and re-surfacing work of the existing court for netball and basketball as well as the reinstatement of the tennis courts. The Pavillion, which is currently in a state of disrepair, will be reinstated to become a focal point in the wider park where events and activities can be based.

Families are expected to flock to a brand new inflatable assault course initially coming to Ashburton Park this summer.

Better has partnered with Our Parks to offer ‘easy booking’ free park based exercise classes, led by experienced, qualified instructors in five local Croydon Parks including; Park Hill, Purley Beeches Wood, Milne Park, South Norwood Lake & Grounds and Ashburton Park. For more information on Our Parks and for programme updates please visit - www.ourparks.org.uk.

Senior citizens’ activity programme ‘Silverfit’ is also coming to Croydon parks. The sessions target older adults and offer many exciting activities including Nordic Walking, Yoga, Pilates, Walking Football, T’ai Chi and even Cheerleading.

Better is committed to getting more people playing tennis – for the health and social benefits the sport offers. Three new tennis hubs will be established in 2018 at Addiscombe Recreation Ground, Biggin Wood Park and Ashburton Park with upgraded facilities and there will be free courses and activities for adults and children during The Great British Tennis weekend July 21st / 22nd.

Alongside these tennis hubs Better is repairing and upgrading 15 other tennis sites in the borough to ensure they are ready to use during what is expected to be a busy sporting summer.

Better’s Regional Director for London West, Simon Sen said:

“As an organisation, we exist to get more people more active more often.

“Improving Croydon residents’ health and wellbeing is our goal following our initial mobilisation and our starting point is a huge investment in fantastic leisure facilities and services residents will enjoy using.

“In partnership with Croydon Council, we are proud to unveil our plans which mirror the wider improvements and regeneration coming to London’s biggest borough.”

Shifa Mustafa, Executive Director of Place at Croydon Council, said:

“Croydon’s parks and leisure facilities are jewels in the borough’s crown, promoting healthy lifestyles and physical activity for all ages.

“We are excited at the forthcoming improvements, and hope residents will be too.”

To find out about local information at your leisure centre or park please visit: www.better.org.uk/Croydon