Canada Water Leisure Centre opens its doors today, a key milestone in the ambitious transformation of Canada Water, London’s first new town centre in half a century.
Delivered in partnership with British Land as part of the ambitious 53-acre Canada Water masterplan, the flagship leisure centre replaces the much loved but outdated Seven Islands Leisure Centre.
Spread across the ground floor and two basement levels of the new Dock Shed commercial development, the centre features premium facilities including:
- a 25-metre, 8-lane swimming pool and teaching pool with moveable floor
- a large, modern gym with functional fitness zones
- specialist studios for holistic exercise, high-energy workouts and indoor cycling
- a multi-use sports hall for basketball, badminton, football, volleyball, pickleball, cricket and more
- modern changing areas
- accessible facilities for all
The new leisure centre has been designed to the ‘excellent’ efficiency rating (BREAAM standard) which saves carbon emissions and reduces operating costs.
The centre will also create new employment opportunities while significantly enhancing leisure provision for Southwark’s residents. The Council has also gone to every effort to ensure a smooth transition for current members of Seven Islands Leisure centre to the new centre.
Today’s opening was preceded with a pre-opening community day last Friday, when key community sports groups and current members of Seven Islands Leisure Centre were welcomed in to preview the centre, and try out the new facilities. An official launch event is also planned for 24 September 2025 to bring together the community and partners in commemorating this important milestone in the wider masterplan, and significant new community leisure facility.
The opening forms part of Southwark Council’s ongoing investment in leisure facilities across the borough. Most recently, the council joined up with the UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, to redevelop Burgess Park Sports Centre to encourage more local people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in sports. In addition, the Council also recently completed a £2 million gym refurbishment programme in all leisure centres across the borough.
Councillor Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young People, said:
“The opening of Canada Water Leisure Centre is a landmark moment for Southwark. Working in partnership with our development partner, British Land, we have delivered a facility our residents can be proud of, one that caters to people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels.
“Across the capital, we’re seeing local councils make difficult financial decisions that often mean leisure facilities are deprioritised. We’re proud to be bucking this trend, instead finding innovative ways to continuously invest in the health and wellbeing of our residents.
The new flagship centre joins our existing facilities, which have recently been fully refurbished following their insourcing in summer 2023, and have also had their green credentials improved, an approach which supports the Council’s commitment to carbon reduction and value for money service provision. We’re also working with grassroots community groups to ensure we’re reaching those who need our services the most.
“Finally, we’re excited that the new leisure centre is at the heart of a brand-new town centre, on the brink of transformative change. There’s a lot in store for Canada Water and we look forward to what’s to come.”
The leisure centre sits at the heart of the Canada Water masterplan, which will bring up to 3,000 net zero carbon homes, 2 million square foot of sustainable workspace for 20,000 workers, a new town square, and London’s first new high street in a century. Together, these projects are set to transform Canada Water into a thriving, sustainable and inclusive urban hub for the future.
For more information and to join the new centre, please visit Southwark Leisure.
