Camberwell Leisure Centre

Camberwell Leisure Centre is now fully operational. The last of the construction works to redevelop Warwick Hall, Jubilee Hall (previously known as the Sports Hall) and the brand new Camberwell Youth Centre were completed in December and opened on 7 January 2013.

This web page will inform you of the redevelopment work completed, details of our brand new, purpose-built Camberwell Youth Centre for 13 to 19 year olds and background to the project.

Jubilee Hall

When Camberwell Baths opened on 1 October 1892, the swimming pool at the rear was designed to be used by second class ticket holders unable to afford to use the main pool at the front of the building. The swimming pool remained in use until the early 1980s when the council adapted it to become a multipurpose sports hall.

In 2012, as part of the centre’s £6.2m redevelopment programme, the 600 square metre floor was levelled to enable wider community use of the space. The original pool tank has been preserved below, for future generations to discover.

Warwick Hall

Warwick Hall was named after Alderman Alfred Charles Warwick, J.P. who had a long career at the council from 1919 until 1951. This refurbished 200 square metre area now has improved ventilation and air conditioning. The old ceiling was removed to expose a spacious Victorian roof structure. New lighting and an audio system with improved acoustic treatment have also been installed.

Southwark Gymnastics Club have returned to the centre and are running classes for children aged from four years. Visit their website to see the programme and to book classes.

The 2013 group exercise programme is available online and in centre.

Camberwell Youth Centre (CYC)

In 2011 the centre was awarded £576,000 from the Youth Capital Fund which enabled the youth centre project to get underway. As mentioned above, the CYC is new to the leisure centre and is an area which has been entirely refurbished and dedicated for use by children and young people. In October 2012 local young people were surveyed about the activities they would like to get involved with and a programme is now available in the centre.

The youth centre will provide varied and inventive, entertaining and educational workshops run by qualified youth workers fully supervised by the youth team and guest presenters. Youth Services is in discussion with Play Services about holding after school events for eight to 12 years from mid-2013.

Background to the redevelopment

On 31 March 2009 Southwark Council was awarded funding of £1.45 million to go towards improving the centre.

This initial funding, together with over £2m from Southwark Council's Investing in Leisure programme, £576,000 from the Youth Capital Fund and further funding from various other grants means that a total £4.7 million investment will provide even more improvement than first envisaged at the centre.

The additional funding allowed the council to proceed with the expansion and refurbishment of the gym facilities and dry-side changing rooms and structural improvements. In 2012 the Camberwell Baths Campaign was successful in their bid for securing £490,000 from the Olympic Legacy Funding which meant that the refurbishment of the sports hall and Warwick Hall could proceed.

Messrs Spalding and Cross (original architects and builders of Camberwell Baths) would be very proud of the renovation work throughout and in front of the building; window sashes have been replaced, brick work repaired, cleaned and redecorated and even the return to operation of the beautiful façade clock. In all, the new leisure centre has a new lease of life and provides a welcoming interior.  

Centre facilities

In September 2011 Camberwell Leisure Centre reopened its 30 workout station gym (a third larger space than previous) and new changing rooms. Earlier in February the centre reopened its 25m fully refurbished and retiled swimming pool and learner pool, with new male, female and family wet-changing areas and new entrance foyer, reception and social area/café, all of which are wheelchair accessible.

With the completion of the two halls Camberwell Leisure Centre now offers group exercise classes and the opportunity to hire the space for private functions. Contact the centre for details.

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