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, at Glass Mill Leisure Centre, work starts on Saturday 1 August and will include a refurbished gym, increasing fitness stations from 70 to 110, a new three-tier, soft play facility, and dedicated party rooms.

It is expected that the projects will be completed at both centres by December this year.

While renovations are underway, both centres will remain open with disruption kept to a minimum. Swimming pools and wet-side facilities are likely to be unaffected. In addition, during this period, customer memberships will be upgraded to include UK-wide access to allow people to use different centres if they prefer. 

Staff will remain on hand and will be happy to answer any customer queries, while project updates will be shared via the website, emails and social media.

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.”