Southwark Council celebrates London’s newest leisure centre

4 November 2021

Southwark Council’s brand new sports and athletics centre opens this weekend.

Local people are invited to a launch event on Saturday (6 November), where Peckham born Tokyo Olympic medallist, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, team GB athlete, Conrad Williams and professional freestyle footballer, Jamie Knight, will help the council to welcome visitors.

The council’s new Southwark Park Sports and Athletics Centre sits alongside the council’s Olympic grade, 400 metre, six-lane running track, and its track and field facilities. Team GB’s sprint relay teams, both male and female, came to train at the track before heading to the Tokyo Olympics and they had nothing but praise for the facility.

On Saturday, visitors can test the track and take a tour of the facilities. Both children and adults will be able to learn some new football skills, while also enjoying other free activities such as taster sessions of tag rugby, introductions to long jump and sprint running and disability sports sessions. Refreshments will be available at 10am, with the official opening starting from 10.30am and activities running until 3pm.

Southwark Council invested £2.6million into the new building, which includes a gym, flexible studio space, reception area, and changing rooms. The new centre is included in the council’s free swim and gym offer with additional discounts for people with disabilities and those aged over 60 years. These offers are available to anyone living in Southwark, making all eight of the council leisure centres accessible to all residents, free of charge.

The sports and athletics centre was designed to meet high environmental standards as part of the council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency. It has ith top grade insulation, a low carbon design, low energy LED sensor lights, bird boxes built into the fabric of the building and more.

The building is also fully accessible and designed specifically to welcome wheelchair users.

Southwark Council is committed to promoting sports and healthy, fun activities for people across the borough. This facility will support local athletics clubs, schools, and visitors of all levels from beginners to elite athletes.

Everyone Active will manage the centre for the council and is working to install a range of cardio, fixed weight, functional training machines and other equipment. It is also working to engage with local people and schools, for coached sessions and school sports days. There will be disability sessions at the track and it will be home to London City Runners and Southwark Athletics Club who will be providing a rage of session to suit all abilities.

The new gym and studio space adds to Southwark Council’s seven existing gyms and memberships are available now.

Cllr Alice Macdonald, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “We are delighted to open this excellent new sports centre and excited to celebrate with local people and sporting superstars alike. We hope that our new sports and athletics centre will help aspiring athletes achieve their dreams and encourage local people to try something new, become more active and have fun.”

Mark Basker, Regional Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We are delighted to launch the new Southwark Park Sports and Athletics Centre and we’re looking forward to extending the range of services for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

“It’s been fantastic having high profile sporting clubs and GB athletes using the track in previous years, however we are so excited to also be able to open this up to the local community alongside the new centre."

Page last updated: 04 November 2021