Possible new swimming pool for south of the borough to be considered

It comes after the council’s Place Committee (9 February) approved recommendations set out in a new indoor leisure facilities strategy.

With health and fitness a key part of the recovery from the pandemic, Kingston Council has launched the strategy to provide a framework and evidence of what provision is required, based on demand, so the borough has the leisure and sports facilities residents need.

The strategy will inform proposals to provide new leisure facilities, including:

• A brand-new community leisure centre on the site of the Kingfisher in Kingston’s town centre
• A potential new swimming pool in the south of the borough – possibly at the Chessington Sports Centre
• A new community leisure centre– including a new swimming pool – as part of the Cocks Crescent redevelopment in New Malden
• Offering flexible spaces within the borough’s leisure sites, so more cultural and leisure opportunities can be offered to residents
• Ensuring each site is disabled friendly

Councillor John Sweeney, Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business and Leisure, said:

“With a growing population it is important Kingston offers the right leisure provision for residents of all ages to be physically active, healthy and to develop their sporting ambitions.

“Recent research by Sport England and Sheffield Hallam University found that investment in  sport, physical activity and leisure ‘creates a return across health and social care; improves wellbeing; builds stronger communities and develops skills in the economy’. It also ‘plays an important role’ in boosting the economy and provides an opportunity to address inequalities within communities.

“As well as this indoor leisure strategy, which looks at everything from swimming pools and sports halls and courts to gym facilities, the council is also reviewing its plans for outdoor leisure and sports facilities such as football pitches. We will also look at what opportunities there are at Albany Outdoors adventure and water activity centre. The aim is to make sure Kingston offers local people the best possible provision of leisure, sport and physical exercise facilities."