Camberwell Leisure Centre Reopens

The historic Camberwell Baths were officially opened for swimming on 28 February following two years of restoration work and a £4.7m investment. A local community event was held on 12 March and the opening was attended by comedienne Jo Brand who used to swim at the pool in the 70s and 80s when she was a nurse at nearby Maudsley Hospital.

Now known as Camberwell Leisure Centre, the Grade II Listed building – which once supported Victorian hygiene by providing public bathing pools – has been carefully restored to protect the heritage of the building while providing fully accessible health and leisure facilities for the local community. 
 
The original 25m pool has been retiled along with the learner pool, and new changing areas installed.   With a new entrance area, reception and café, the centre offers a new social area in Camberwell for people to meet. 
 
By mid 2011, the centre will feature an expanded gym and fitness area, dry side changing rooms, and restored sports hall and new youth facility.  
The inclusion of local community and special interest groups has been an important consideration in the design of the new facility, which has been managed by Fusion Lifestyle for just over 10 years. 
 
As well as running highly popular programmes for those aged over 60 and working with GP referrals, the centre provides training facilities for one of the UK’s top ranking freedivers and an important part of the new project has been to include social spaces for young people. 
 
Adrian Matthews, general manager at Camberwell Leisure Centre commented: “Feedback from swimmers returning to the pools has been overwhelmingly positive. Camberwell Baths has a strong local following.” 
 
“The addition of the new leisure facilities will help fund the future use of the pools and the success of the restoration is a tribute to the efforts of local people, and the cross party support for the project”.
 
Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and the Olympics at Southwark Council, said: “We’re delighted that this high quality and attractive renovation, will be completed well ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, and will provide 21st century leisure facilities to help people who live and work locally to get fitter and stay healthy”.   
 
For more information please contact Camberwell Leisure Centre directly.