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Hillingdon Council marked the formal completion of its new Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre in West Drayton at a special ceremony on Thursday 5 February.
The facility expands the borough’s exceptional leisure and fitness offer and provides residents with increased opportunities to enjoy high quality facilities designed to improve their health and wellbeing at an affordable cost.
The Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Philip Corthorne and Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Edwards, unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of the facility ahead of its handover to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the council’s longstanding leisure partner which will operate the centre.
They were joined by members of the council’s Cabinet, representatives from GLL, ward councillors, and construction partners for tours of the building.
The 6,488 square metre venue, located on Rowlheys Place, is the council's fifth sports centre and boasts state-of-the-art features, including a 25-metre swimming pool, teaching pool, splash pad with flume – the first in the borough – and a health and fitness suite with a steam and sauna cabin, and aerobics and spin studios.
There is also a two-level soft play area, sensory room, clip and climb zone with nine different walls, a large sports hall for activities such as basketball and racket sports, a rooftop five-a-side 3G football pitch, a café area and a 135-space visitor car park.
The council’s Family Hubs will also be expanded with a dedicated space in the centre to deliver a range of services for families with children and young people aged 0 to 19 years, and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Behind the scenes, the building is fitted with a range of advanced technology to maximise energy efficiency, including hundreds of solar panels and air source heat pumps which allow heat from outdoor air to be transferred indoors and distributed throughout the centre.
Cllr Wayne Bridges, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: "The Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre is a fantastic addition to the borough's sports and leisure venues and has lots of exciting new facilities to support residents of all ages and abilities to live healthy and active lives.
“With everything from sports and fitness to family services and fun activities all under one roof, it will be a real community hub. I encourage local residents to come along to the open weekend to try it out and sign up for GLL’s affordable memberships.”
Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property, said: "When the project’s original contractor went into administration mid-project, we innovatively stepped in to directly manage the build ourselves, while continuing to deliver value for money for residents.
“From the outset, we've prioritised sustainability to futureproof the centre and help it operate efficiently and in line with our carbon neutral ambitions.
“It’s a proud moment marking the completion of this impressive building and I hope it creates long-lasting opportunities for generations to come.”
Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL said: "GLL are delighted to continue our long-standing and hugely successful partnership with Hillingdon Council by operating the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre.
“The new leisure centre has some of the finest facilities in the capital and as such we welcome the opportunity to utilise them to widen and deepen employment, health and social opportunity for local people.”
GLL will now prepare the building for a public opening and host a free open weekend for residents to take part in activity taster sessions.
To find out more and stay up to date with when the free open weekend is announced, visit the council's website.