New £6m gym refurbishment opened at Dulwich Leisure Centre

The completion of the centre is the latest phase in the council's refurbishment programme which has so far seen the relaunch of Surrey Docks Watersports Centre in February 2010, and the first phase reopening of Camberwell Leisure Centre in February 2011. 

The £6.2m refurbishment of Dulwich Leisure Centre was fully completed and formally opened by Cllr Veronica Ward and Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, on Saturday 25 June.  

Completion of this final phase of the redevelopment sees a new, larger gym with 100 workstations and new dry changing rooms added to the already refurbished pool and changing rooms, newly built reception, café and crèche which opened in September 2010. Access for people with mobility and visual difficulties was also significantly improved across the site.  

Cllr Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, libraries, leisure and the Olympics at Southwark Council, said:  

"The new gym looks fantastic, and is something the borough should be proud of. With the London 2012 Olympics round the corner, we're determined to provide as many opportunities as possible for local residents to make use of top class facilities like these." 

Prize winners

As part of the opening three winners of a council run competition to get free gym memberships were awarded their prizes. 

The Nicholls family, Robert Lyons and Daniel Savva (double v) were the lucky winners of the competition which attracted more than 500 entrants.  

The presentations were made exactly 119 years to the day after the centre first opened to the public.  

Andy Nicholls, who lives locally, won the 12 month family membership along with wife Ruth and children Joe and Sam. He said:  

"We are thrilled to win the competition. We already use the swimming pool regularly and we are looking forward to trying out all the new activities at Dulwich Leisure Centre. I've been considering a gym membership for a while and now I have no excuse not to go."  

Five year old Joe added:  

"I love swimming and I'm really pleased we can go whenever we like."  

Background Information

On Saturday 25 June the new extended gym and dry-changing rooms at Dulwich Leisure Centre were reopened to the public. Access for people with mobility and visual difficulties has been significantly improved across the site. 

The completion of Dulwich Leisure Centre is the latest phase in Southwark Council's refurbishment programme which has so far seen the re-launch of Surrey Docks Watersports Centre in February 2010, and the first phase reopening of Camberwell Leisure Centre in February 2011.