Exciting improvements at Lewisham leisure centres

Charitable social enterprise GLL is investing almost £3 million to improve facilities at Forest Hill Pools and Glass Mill Leisure Centre in Lewisham.

Starting next month, major improvements will bring upgraded facilities, enhanced customer experience, and new activities, creating even better spaces for fitness, family fun and community wellbeing.

The programme commences at Forest Hill Pools on Wednesday 1 July and will include a redesigned reception area, a brand-new soft play area, a bigger gym with ‘state-of-the-art’ equipment, and a new fitness studio.

Meanwhile, work at Glass Mill Leisure Centre will begin on 1 September, bringing a refurbished gym, an increase in fitness stations from 70 to 110, a new three-tier soft play area and dedicated party rooms. The improvements are expected to be completed by December this year.

While improvement works are underway, both centres will remain open wherever possible, with disruption kept to a minimum. Swimming pools and other wet-side facilities are expected to remain unaffected.

During the works, members will have access to alternative Better centres, including Croydon, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and Greenwich.
Our teams will be on hand to answer questions and provide support throughout the programme, with regular updates shared via our website, email communications and social media channels.

Leisure centres in Lewisham are run by GLL under the ‘Better’ brand in partnership with Lewisham Council.

Hannah Gilmour, GLL’s Lewisham Partnership Manager, comments:

“We can’t wait to share these improvements with local people. We’re creating modern, welcoming environments that are designed around our communities’ needs, catering for the whole family.”

Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action said: 

“Great leisure facilities aren’t a luxury; they’re at the heart of healthy, connected communities. These improvements at Forest Hill Pools and Glass Mill will help more families access the spaces, activities and equipment they need to thrive.

"Residents across Lewisham deserve modern, welcoming spaces that meet their needs, from families with young children to people looking to improve their fitness.

"This investment does exactly that, and I look forward to seeing the benefits for local people when the work is complete later this year.”