Slough’s most ambitious leisure project takes shape

The leader of the council has toured the site of The Centre, the council’s most ambitious leisure project to date.

Councillor James Swindlehurst was joined by Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for environment and leisure to see how building work on the leisure facility is progressing, ahead of The Centre’s official opening next year.

The building on Farnham Road is taking shape and is now fully clad and watertight. People viewing the site from the street can now see the striking polycarbonate cladding that encases the main swimming pool in blue and the four court sports hall in orange.

The internal spaces are now well defined and the internal walls and partitions are being completed. Mechanical and electrical installations are underway throughout and the sports hall is set to use specialist technology that will create illuminated line markings for different sports.

The borough’s largest leisure facility will include:

• 25m eight lane swimming pool

• 15m x 10m teaching pool with moveable floor

• male, female and family changing village (wet)

• poolside sauna and steam room

• four court sports hall with specialist illuminated flooring – we’ll be the first in the UK to install it

• 100+ station gym

• three exercise studios

• male and female changing facilities (dry)

• café

• treatment rooms.

Councillor Swindlehurst said: “I am delighted to see our vision for The Centre taking shape. This is an exciting time for sports-led regeneration in Slough and our final facility to be delivered under our leisure strategy is the biggest and most ambitious.

“The Centre will be a truly state-of-the-art leisure facility, designed to meet the needs of families, recreational fitness enthusiasts and professional sportspeople alike; and it will be a striking addition to the Farnham Road.”

Councillor Anderson added: “In my lifetime I’ve seen The Centre in all its forms, from the original 1930s community centre built for workers on the Slough Trading Estate, to a more modern community centre in the 1990s.

“I've used The Centre many times in all its incarnations and I can't wait to see this top class leisure facility open its doors and join all those who live and work here, in having even more reasons to get active.”

The Centre build is being undertaken by Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), a partnership between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd, which is driving regeneration across the town including leisure, housing, community and school buildings.

Nigel Franks, SUR Development Manager, said: “SUR is delighted to be working closely with the council to help deliver its ambitious leisure strategy. This has seen three fantastic leisure facilities opened to the public already this year and I am particularly excited to be part of the team developing and delivering this flagship new-build facility. When opened in early 2019 The Centre will offer modern and exciting facilities for the people of Slough.”

When open, The Centre will be managed by the council’s leisure provider, Everyone Active, which began a 10-year partnership with the council in June 2017.

Sally Thomas-Ellis, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “It is fantastic to see The Centre really taking shape. The town’s sports and leisure facilities have recently undergone huge improvements, and with its extensive mix of facilities The Centre will introduce even more opportunities for local people to enjoy getting active. We look forward to working with the council to make it a success.”

The Centre is due to open to the public in the spring next year.