Royal Greenwich residents’ health and wellbeing supported by £1m investment in public leisure facilities
Royal Greenwich residents’ health and wellbeing supported by £1m investment in public leisure facilities
Royal Greenwich residents will benefit from a £1m investment in their leisure facilities as GLL and the Council focus on leisure’s vital role in sustaining health and wellbeing in the borough.
The announcement of investments was made on National Fitness Day (21 September) when Cllr Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities at Royal Borough of Greenwich took a tour of Eltham Centre. Along with his colleague, Cllr Patricia Greenwell, Councillor for Eltham Town and Avery Hill they explored the welcome refurbishments.
The visitors were shown the new immersive 55 piece group cycle experience (the borough’s largest) complete with top-of-the-range Technogym equipment, lighting and sound system. Across the centre, they saw the fully refurbished fitness studio which now boasts new flooring, wall art, decoration and the upgraded gym’s new strength flooring, decoration and lighting.
In addition, a brand new premium sauna and steam room is set to replace the 15 year old facilities completing the centre’s revamp checklist.
Elsewhere in the borough, Thamesmere Leisure Centre sees a refurbished gym and studio as well as wall art and a revamped reception area.
At Sutcliffe Park the soft play area has been expanded by 35% with a brand new baby and toddler zone – plus an improved reception area.
Plumstead Centre is also sporting new wall art while a similar treatment at Coldharbour Leisure Centre will complete this autumn – enhancing aesthetic appeal.
External signage will also be improved at Waterfront, Thamesmere, Coldharbour and Eltham by the end of autumn.
Waterfront Leisure Centre sees improvements, helping serve the high number of visits from local residents to its gym, studios, courts and leisure pool until the new Woolwich Leisure Centre opens. Works start soon.
As part of the National Fitness Day celebrations, Greenwich residents will be able to take a free gym trial or immersive group cycle session at Eltham Centre over the weekend of 24-25 September. Places are available on a first come, first served basis – no booking needed.
GLL’s Greenwich Partnership Manager Richard Gallagher said:
“As a charitable social enterprise and community operator, GLL are focusing very much on improving the customer experience, accessibility and value for money at our Better Leisure Centres.
“We are working closely with our partners at The Royal Borough of Greenwich to make a positive difference to health, wellbeing and opportunity.
“More attractive leisure centres encourage more people to visit and this boosts participation and physical activity levels locally.”
“These welcome investments are part of our wider leisure programming, offering a range of activities for all ages and interests.”
Cllr Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities at Royal Borough of Greenwich said:
“It's essential that we review and improve our public leisure facilities to ensure they're as accessible and safe as possible. We want to provide new and better equipment, as well as making these spaces welcoming and motivating for our residents and GLL employees.
“I know how much local residents valued the improvements at Eltham Centre after my visit and this makes me excited for the future of leisure facilities across Royal Greenwich.”
The latest Greenwich leisure investments follow on from a digital transformation programme completed in 2022 which has simplified customer bookings – and a renewed focus on improving the customer experience in centres.
Greenwich Leisure Centres are important employers of local people and offer funded professional training including NPLQ and STA courses.