Construction work on the new Hornchurch Sports Centre hit its second milestone of development this week, with the steel frame structure now firmly installed.
The new facilities are being delivered by Havering Council, working in partnership with Everyone Active, who manage the Council’s leisure centres.
It is part of a huge investment in leisure and sport facilities by the Council, including Sapphire Ice & Leisure in Romford, which celebrated its first anniversary in February.
During the first year, the centre in Romford had over half a million visitors.
The Council has also pumped money into refurbishing Central Park Leisure Centre in Harold Hill and is currently looking at options for a new leisure centre in the south of the borough.
While construction takes place on the new complex in Hornchurch, the current centre will be open as usual to residents and visitors, right up until the grand opening of the new centre in 2020.
At the new centre, residents will be able to enjoy a 25m eight-lane swimming pool, a 20m wide learning and diving pool with movable floor to change the depth, a 100 plus station health and fitness suite, three exercise studios and top-class changing facilities.
Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said: “It is very exciting to see the great progress we’re making towards delivering a fantastic new sports centre for Hornchurch and residents in the south of the borough.
"We are committed to investing and improving our leisure and sport facilities in the borough. With the continuing success of Sapphire Ice and Leisure, this new centre in Hornchurch, and through looking at a feasibility study for a new sports centre south of the borough, we’re providing the facilities residents need to live healthy and happy lives.”
Tom Fletcher, Contract Manger at Everyone Active, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the next stage of the new Hornchurch Sports Centre being completed. We’re confident that this investment will provide high-quality sports and recreational services for the whole community.
"We are continuing to work hard with Havering Council and our partner, Metnor Construction, to ensure that every aspect of the build is completed to the highest quality.”
The new centre is expected to open in September 2020.