Beyond leisure & built for wellbeing

Leisure centres are evolving from the “pool and gym” format into wellbeing hubs. SportsNation looks at a recent example of this trend – the Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington

Modern leisure centres are no longer simply somewhere to swim a few lengths or squeeze in a workout after work. Increasingly, they are becoming community wellbeing hubs – places where exercise, rehabilitation, social connection and family activities all sit under one roof. The reopening of the Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington is a timely example of that evolution. Following a £17m transformation, funded by Bromley Council – with additional funding from Sport England (£296,000) and the London Marathon Foundation (£125,000) – the centre has reopened with a completely refreshed offer that goes well beyond replacing ageing facilities. The ambitious redevelopment reflects a growing recognition across the sector that leisure centres need to be accessible, welcoming and relevant to people at every stage of life if they are to play a meaningful role in improving community wellbeing. Meanwhile, the funding arrangements illustrate the collaborative investment increasingly required to modernise the UK’s ageing leisure estate.

Mytime Active reinvests its surplus back into facilities, programmes and community initiatives

At the heart of the redevelopment are two new pools: a competition-length swimming pool and a dedicated training pool – alongside an expanded two-storey gym featuring the latest fitness equipment and EGYM smart strength technology. There is also a new rehabilitation studio, featuring EGYM and InBody technology, to support health, wellbeing and active ageing. The sports hall has been refurbished, while new sauna and steam rooms, a children’s splash wall and redesigned reception and café spaces aim to encourage visitors to spend more time at the centre rather than simply passing through.

The investment reflects another growing priority for operators: ensuring facilities are genuinely inclusive. A Poolpod lift now provides easier access to both swimming pools for people with reduced mobility, while new Changing Places and accessible toilet facilities have been introduced to ensure the centre can welcome more members of the community with confidence and dignity.

Sustainability has been another major focus. A new heating system has been installed to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs, supported by £3.4 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

For Mytime Active, which operates the facility on behalf of Bromley Council, the redevelopment aligns closely with its wider mission of improving health and wellbeing across the communities it serves. As an independent charity and social enterprise, Mytime Active reinvests its surplus back into facilities, programmes and community initiatives.

Across Bromley, the Midlands and Hampshire it delivers more than 100 services, ranging from swimming, golf and gyms to childcare, health programmes and specialist activities for people living with disabilities, long-term health conditions and those at risk of inactivity. Steve May, chief executive of Mytime Active, believes that philosophy is reflected throughout the transformed Walnuts.

A RETURN TO THE ROOTS

For Mytime Active CEO, Steven May, there is a deeply personal connection to the reopening of Walnuts Leisure Centre. The venue is not only where started his career as a lifeguard 27 years ago, it is also where he learnt to swim.

"The reopening of Walnuts Leisure Centre was a full circle moment for me – it’s where I first learned to swim; taught by my Navy Granddad, completed my school work experience and then worked as a lifeguard. Years later I had the privilege of managing the centre, where my eldest daughter Willow then started her swimming journey. Now I oversee the Walnuts as CEO and had the honour of helping to reopen the centre for the community, and that feels genuinely special. Seeing the transformation of a facility that has played such an important role in my own journey, and that continues to inspire our community, fills me with immense pride. I can’t wait to see people enjoying the new facilities; creating their own memories here for years to come.”

Our aim is to offer a true community hub to better serve the needs of local residents for many years to come

“We are thrilled to welcome members and residents back to the transformed Walnuts Leisure Centre,” he says. “At Mytime Active, we’re passionate about providing more than just leisure facilities; our aim is to offer a true community hub to better serve the needs of local residents for many years to come.

“The scale of this investment by the Council means the whole community will benefit from outstanding new facilities. Walnuts Leisure Centre will be a vibrant hub where people can improve their health and wellbeing, try out new hobbies, connect with others and enrich their lives, all under one roof.”

The project itself was delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, continuing a trend towards large-scale partnerships that combine local authorities, operators and specialist delivery teams to regenerate community leisure infrastructure.

For Alliance Leisure, however, the success of the project extends beyond the physical building.

“We have worked closely with Bromley Council to bring forward a vision that secures the long-term future of Walnuts Leisure Centre,” says Ruth Ripsher, delivery manager at Alliance Leisure. “This project is about far more than bricks and mortar, it is about creating a high-quality, energy-efficient community asset that will support healthier lifestyles, social connection and local pride for generations to come.”

That sentiment is echoed by Bromley Council, which sees the investment as securing the future of one of the borough’s most important public assets.

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, says residents can now enjoy modern facilities that will serve the community for many years after what has been one of the council’s most significant leisure investments. The impact is expected to extend beyond health outcomes alone. Increased footfall generated by the leisure centre is also anticipated to support Orpington’s wider town centre economy, creating benefits for neighbouring businesses and reinforcing the role leisure facilities can play as anchors for local regeneration.