The transformed Walnuts Leisure Centre will soon be revealed when the centre reopens on Thursday 2 July. The Centre has been secured thanks to a £17m investment by Bromley Council.
The Mayor of Bromley is set to cut the ribbon to officially welcome residents back to the centre at midday. The leisure centre and surrounding town centre will host a range of reopening celebrations on the day to recognise the importance of this historic occasion for Orpington.
Festivities will centre around the marketplace area in front of the centre off Lych Gate Road, where residents can join for the ribbon cutting. Expect a range of sport-related activities, stalls from local partners, refreshments, and entertainment organised by Orpington 1st BID. Special activities will also be organised at Orpington Library on the day and across the following weekend to continue the celebrations.
Residents will also be able to explore the centre, with usual use continuing from 2pm onwards. Activities and classes for the opening day and beyond will be available to book in the usual way in due course via Mytime Active, the borough’s longstanding leisure provider.
New provisions at the centre include:
- A new competition-length swimming pool and training pool
- Bright new reception and café areas
- Refreshed and newly marked sports hall
- A children’s splash wall for more family fun
- New sauna and steam room, for a relaxing post-workout
- expanded two-level gym, complete with a functional training area and brand-new fitness equipment
- State-of-the-art EGYM smart strength training equipment, allowing adjustable workouts and supporting rehabilitation
- Completely new heating system to ensure reduced running costs
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “The stage is now set to reveal the incredible transformation of this much-loved leisure centre, funded and delivered by Bromley Council. We know how eager residents are to return and we have been doing all we can to complete this huge investment in the borough’s leisure provision as soon as possible. Residents will be able to enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities over the summer and long into the future, thanks to a whole host of works completed behind-the-scenes to secure this centre for Orpington.”
Steve May, Chief Executive Officer at Mytime Active, said: “We are thrilled to welcome members and residents back to the transformed Walnuts Leisure Centre. 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.”
Specialist leisure developer, Alliance Leisure, is delivering the works for the council with the main contractor, Etec Group.
Michael Smith, CEO of Etec Group, said: “It is great to see the centre looking so impressive after the efforts we have put in to completing this centre for Bromley Council to a high standard. We hope residents enjoy the new facilities, which have been completed alongside a host of works behind the scenes to support the long-term running of the centre.”
Ruth Ripsher, Delivery Manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “We have worked closely with Bromley Council to bring forward a vision that secures the long-term future of Walnuts Leisure Centre. 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.”
Find out more about visiting the new centre on the Mytime Active website, including membership offers for local residents.
Further details about provision at the new Walnuts Leisure centre.
For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk
Editor’s notes:
The works at the Walnuts have been supported by £3.4m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, £296k grant from Sports England, and £125k from the London Marathon Foundation.