Two new state-of-the-art leisure centres will transform the physical activity offer for thousands of residents of all ages in the north London Borough of Barnet when they open this September.

Barnet Council have invested £44.9 m (including £2m of National Lottery funding via Sport England) in New Barnet Leisure Centre and Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre.

Both centres will be operated by social enterprise leisure provider GLL under its Better brand. Cashless operation will reduce queue times and simplify customer purchases by phones and debit cards, with all activities pre-bookable online.

New Barnet Leisure Centre features a learner pool, 25m six-lane community pool, café, health and fitness suite, two studios, two health improvement rooms, a library, outdoor tennis courts, a multi-use games area, a new and improved area for children and young people and an outdoor childrens playground featuring musical play and a children’s fitness trail.

Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre houses a learner pool, 25m six-lane community pool, 25m eight-lane competition pool, five-court sports hall, health and fitness suite, three health improvement rooms, group exercise studios and cafe.

GLL invested £2.4m into other borough leisure upgrades.   Burnt Oak Leisure Centre has received brand new gym equipment from Technogym  and new nursery and creche facilities, a makeover to the changing rooms and a resurfaced 3G artificial grass pitch.

Hendon Leisure Centre received new Technogym equipment in an expanded gym – the facility has an improved climbing wall and more modern changing facilities.

The gym at Finchley Lido Leisure Centre has been expanded too, with additional improvements made to air conditioning, energy efficient boilers and a refurbished poolside changing area.

The collective investments will meet Barnet Council’s wish to prioritise health and physical activity for its residents who will enjoy a range of benefits and discounts when they apply for the Fit and Active Barnet (FAB) Card.

GLL’s Partnership Manager for Barnet, Gillan Kelly said:

“It’s a very exciting time for leisure in Barnet with the biggest investment in a generation. All our staff are looking forward to extending our remit to get more people more active more often in some of the best public leisure  facilities in the capital.

“Our unique charitable business model means we have no shareholders to pay – so all our surpluses can be reinvested in facilities, customers and staff.”

“The complex projects have seen GLL work with multiple providers – including Technogym – to secure the highest standards of customer experience.”