Date set for new pool at Camberwell Leisure Centre

Visitors to the Camberwell leisure centre can use a fully refurbished and retiled 25m swimming pool and learner pool, with new male, female and family wet-changing areas.

As well as a new pool and facilities, there is also a new entrance foyer, reception and social area/café, all of which are wheelchair accessible. 

These refurbishments will be followed by the unveiling of improvement works to the gym, dry-side changing rooms, Warwick Hall and youth facilities later in the year.

Get a sneak preview inside the leisure centre - view our set of photos on flickr.

Background information

On 31 March 2009 Southwark Council was awarded funding of £1.45million 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 £4.7m investment will provide even more improvement than first envisaged at the centre.

The additional funding has allowed the council to proceed with the expansion and refurbishment of the gym facilities and dry-side changing rooms, structural improvements to ensure the ongoing use of the sports hall and the upgrade of Warwick Hall. This means the centre will be re-opened in two stages.

The swimming pools and changing rooms; café and the remodelled front entrance will open first in February.  This will be followed by the gym, dry-side changing rooms, Warwick Hall and youth facilities later in the year.

Improvements

There will be a number of improvements to the pool and leisure centre:

Reception upgrade

The reception area and entrance foyer have been renovated to ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act guidelines and in addition the centre has introduced a hearing induction loop and visual impairment amendments. For the first time the entrance area features an open access café with servery and seating area.

Modifications to the pool

A new boom has been built to separate the main and teaching pools. The boom incorporates stepped access which will improve access to the pools for the elderly, young children and disabled users. A new pool-side hoist has been installed to assist people with disabilities to access the pools. The pool has been fitted with a UV filter to remove the majority of pollutants and microbes etc. - this will reduce chlorine levels and improve water conditions for all swimmers.

Structural and plant upgrades

The pool hall, corridor, windows and roof have been refurbished ensuring the surrounding areas of the pool-side remain energy efficient. Upgrades to the pool plant (the machines that control the swimming pool environment) have been undertaken to ensure the long term future of the baths.

Mechanical and electrical upgrades

A new electricity supply with latest energy-saving lighting has been installed to help improve energy efficiency. New air handling and heat recovery units will make using the facility a more pleasurable experience for customers.

Changing rooms

Male and female changing rooms will be refurbished to Sport England standards. In addition, a new family changing area and two disabled changing rooms with toilets will be included alongside the pool to encourage greater participation by disabled users and families with young children.  

More information on Camberwell Leisure Centre.