The first visitors to New Addington Leisure & Community Centre have been welcomed ahead of its opening on 3^rd January 2020.

Croydon residents Kathleen Herbert, Henry Walsh and Christina Walsh were invited to take a look around and be the first to swim in the brand new swimming pools at New Addington Leisure & Community Centre.

Kathleen, aged 95, has lived in Croydon all her life. Kathleen has been swimming at New Addington Leisure Centre since the building first opened in 1963. 57 years and many swims later, Kathleen was thrilled to be the first to take a dip at the new centre.

Kathleen said: ‘I feel incredibly honored and grateful to have been chosen. The pool and changing facilities are just brilliant; much bigger, wider and very easy to use. The staff are fantastic and very supportive. I look forward to popping in when the centre opens tomorrow.’

Christine and Henry, aged 91 and 97 respectively, used to swim at the Open Air Lido on Purley Way and New Addington Leisure Centre since it opened back in the 60’s. The former secondary school teachers are keen swimmers with Henry’s first swim taking place over 93 years ago aged just 4 years old.

Christine added: ‘The centre is magnificent. I was lost for words when I saw the swimming pool for the first time. It’s wonderful to see a brand new centre like this in New Addington. It’s going to be great for local people in the area. We’ll be coming along on a weekly basis.’

The brand new building, situated on Champions Parade, has a 25m six lane main pool and slightly smaller second pool, which will be used for a range of aquatic activities. There is a studio and community room for classes and activities, a four court sports hall, a fully-equipped 70 station fitness suite, with state of the art equipment and a café with indoor seating to serve centre users and the general public.

The leisure centre is fully accessible with a lift access to all three floors and accessible toilets and showers throughout. Easy access stairs in to the pool along with poolside hoists are available for access in and out of the pools as well as a specialist ‘Changing Places’ room which includes toilet, shower, changing bed and hoist, for those that need it.

General Manager, Nick Englefield, said: “We are really excited to be opening the New Addington Leisure & Community Centre on 3^rd January 2020. Welcoming both new and existing customers through the doors of this state of the art facility will be a very proud and exciting moment for all of us.”

Councillor Oliver Lewis, Croydon cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “This is a stunning new centre with first-class facilities for everyone in New Addington to enjoy and be proud of. It will make a huge difference to our local community, helping them to keep fit and stay healthy while giving them a new venue to enjoy with family and friends.”