Atherton Leisure Centre

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Opened in 1932, Atherton Leisure Centre is situated on the main road between Stratford and Ilford. It is close to the University of East London Stratford Campus, Forest Gate and local housing and amenities.

Future plans for Atherton Leisure Centre

Mayor Sir Robin Wales, in consultation with Cabinet, has decided to keep parts of Atherton Leisure Centre open after the New Year.

The main pool has been closed since May 2011 due to ongoing asbestos works. The gym and free weights area will remain open, until at least the end of June 2012, while the training pool, sports hall and studio will close at the end of the year.

Closure of these parts of the centre will allow vital asbestos survey and removal works already underway in the main pool area to extend to other areas of the 1930s building.

Tell us your views - take part in the Atherton Leisure Centre consultation

The Mayor and Cabinet have also agreed to begin a 12-week consultation on options for the future of the centre. The consultation, including an online questionnaire, will run from 20 December 2011 until 13 March 2012.

Street surveys and focus groups will also take place in the New Year.

Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: "Our residents and children deserve the best possible facilities and I am determined to provide them."

Approval has been given to begin a selection process for a development partner for the site. This move will not pre-judge the outcome of the consultation as no contract will be signed until after the Cabinet gives its decision regarding the centre's future following the consultation.

Cabinet is due to decide on the future of Atherton Leisure Centre following the closure of the consultation in March 2012.

The report identifies three possible options for the centre: repair and maintain, major facelift or a new centre. According to the report, a new purpose-built centre would be the cheapest option in the long-term. Rebuilding also represents an opportunity to create an environmentally-friendly building that is fully accessible to disabled people.

Since the original decision to close the centre in September 2011, all GLL-run swimming lessons have been relocated to other leisure centres in the borough and most of the schools that used the centre now have alternative arrangements in place.

Complete our online questionnaire here

To sign up for regular updates on Atherton, send an email to leisure@newham.gov.uk.

You can still access all other Newham Leisure Centres. Find out here where your nearest Leisure Centre is located.

Newham Leisure Centres - Activity, Programme and Price Guide 2011-12 (pdf)

Atherton Leisure Centre
189 Romford Road
Stratford
London
E15 4JF
Map

Tel: 020 8536 5500
Fax: 020 8503 0342

Centre Manager: Elaine Anderson
Email: elaine.anderson@gll.org