LEISURE CENTRE- BROMLEY PLANS?
Local Councillors have confirmed that the Leisure Centre will not be part of any future plans proposed by Areli. Areli never owned the land on which the Leisure Centre sits and it now seems likely that future plans submitted by Areli will focus on the footprint of the land they own.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE LEISURE CENTRE?
It is widely recognised that the Leisure Centre is no longer fit for purpose. The boiler and its propensity to break down resulting in no swimming pool or showers on a frequent basis is unacceptable. The general fabric of the building is tired. The dividing nets in the Sports Hall are in tatters, some of the toilets in the female wet changing areas are out of order and there are numerous lockers with no keys or broken doors. I am sure those who use more of the facilities can point to other areas where the centre is in need of urgent repair. The cleanliness of the building is also a concern to some and this has been raised with NttW. This in some respects is a separate issue but the age of the building exacerbates this issue with old tiling and staining to walls and ceilings.
The Leisure Centre is however a valued resource. People of all ages enjoy the classes that are run by enthusiastic members of staff who motivate people to exercise and socialise in a happy, friendly environment. The pool when the boiler is working is warm and large enough for a large number of people to enjoy at the same time.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS?
Leisure Centre is refurbished and closed for a period of time to facilitate this. We understand from the Council this would cost approx £10 million.
Leisure Centre is refurbished whilst keeping the Centre opened. This is a an option favoured by Ojays Swimming Club. The repairs will take longer and will be more costly but could ensure that Ojays remain a going concern. This would be dependent on length of time the centre would be without a swimming pool.
A new Leisure Centre is built, probably outside of the Town Centre and is operational before the current Leisure Centre is demolished. This is of course a much more expensive option and if built outside the Town Centre would not encourage footfall in the Town and may not be as easily accessible to the wider community. There would however be no break in the range of resources currently provided by the Leisure Centre.
A temporary swimming pool is located outside the Town Centre and be operational before the Leisure Centre is refurbished. This would mean people would have uninterrupted access to a swimming pool but would delay the refurbishment programme to the existing Leisure Centre. Again it would be a more costly option.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN NOW?
NttW have written to the Orpington Ward Councillors on two occasions, once towards the end of last year and again at the beginning of this year requesting further information about the Council’s proposals for the Leisure Centre. Councillor Botting has replied and has copied NttW into an e mail asking Councillor Bear, Portfolio for Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing for an update regarding the Leisure Centre.
We do expect the Council to prioritise the future of the Leisure Centre as continuing with the status quo is not sustainable or acceptable to users of this facility.
Ideally there should be consultation with Leisure Centre users as well as the wider community to inform the Council’s planning.
The replacement/ refurbishment of the Leisure Centre should be viewed as an integral part of the regeneration of Orpington Town. NttW have always acknowledged the need for regeneration and is committed to seeing this achieved.
NttW will contact Director of Public Health Bromley to see if they can offer financial assistance towards refurbing the Leisure Centre as part of their role is to improve the health and well being of the population of Bromley.
NttW will also contact Swim England to see if they are able to offer any advice or support.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
Please advise what your preferences are for the future of the Leisure Centre. If you look above at the paragraph on Possible Solutions you could choose one of those suggestions or perhaps you would like to propose your own suggestion. It would be really helpful to revert to Bromley with the considered views of the local community.
PLEASE POST YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR FEEDBACK PAGE. THIS WAY WE CAN ENSURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD. THANK YOU
UPDATE
October 2023 London Borough Bromley agree to refurbishing The Walnuts Leisure Centre as well as West Wickham Leisure Centre. Just over £27million has been allocated to these two projects. The Walnuts Leisure Centre will be subject to a major refurbishment programme that will ensure it remains fit for purpose over the next few decades. The work should be completed by 2026.