golden lane leisure centre

CoL press release

12 DECEMBER 2024 Golden Lane Leisure Centre set for £10.4 million refurbishment

A Square Mile leisure centre is set to undergo a major refurbishment after the City of London Corporation agreed a proposal to invest £10.4million.

The Golden Lane Leisure Centre was built in the late 1950s as part of the Golden Lane Estate and is a local authority leisure offer providing subsidised access to residents.

Set in the heart of the Barbican, it includes a 20-metre swimming pool, two tennis courts, a sports hall, and gym facilities.

As with the wider estate, the leisure centre is a Grade II listed building in recognition of its architecture and historical value. The listing covers the structure and its use in relation to the swimming pool and sports hall.

The centre was refurbished by the City Corporation in 2012 and is now in need of further works to the internal and external fabric and structure. The proposed new investment will enhance provision and future revenue generation.

This comes alongside the City Corporation’s £29 million investment in the Golden Lane Estate to carry out major refurbishment works. The programme covers the refurbishment of windows, roofing, heating upgrades, ventilation, insulation, and redecoration works across all blocks.

The upgrades are part of the City Corporation’s £110 million commitment to the Housing Major Works Programme; a scheme being delivered across 12 London housing estates owned and managed by the City Corporation in six London boroughs.

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:

“A key part of the City Corporation’s Resident Reset is ensuring that that they can take advantage of all that the Square Mile has to offer. This decision is another example of putting this ambition into action. We know that sport and leisure have transformative powers, enhancing mental and physical health, and building connections within the City’s diverse communities. We are proud to continue our significant investment in Golden Lane for the wellbeing of all our residents.”

Chair of the City Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, Helen Fentimen, said:

“This is an important step in the promotion of more community-based sport. The health and wellbeing of our residents is our number one priority. Our health is the most precious thing, and we must look after it. We want those that live in the City to be able to have access to first class leisure and sporting facilities and by prioritising to refurbishing a valuable community asset we hope our residents will be able to enjoy being active both physically and mentally.”

Last year the City Corporation launched a new Sport Strategy for the Square Mile setting out an ambitious blueprint for sport investment and promotion over the next seven years and beyond. The vision is for the City of London to become a global city of sport by investing in sport facilities, activating our public spaces, celebrating the impact of sport, attracting high quality sport events and promoting community sport.