Hounslow Council has taken a major step forward in its ambitious plan to deliver a state-of-the-art leisure facility for West London, committing a substantial £4 million to advance the project.
From Old to New: A Three-Year Gap Planned
The funding will finance crucial feasibility studies and design work for a brand new 'wet and dry' leisure centre intended to replace the current Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre. Built in 1987, the existing centre is operated by Lampton Services on behalf of the council but is considered ageing and costly to maintain.
According to the council's timeline, the old centre is scheduled to close its doors in 2028. If construction proceeds as hoped, this would leave residents without a local facility for approximately three years before the anticipated opening of the new centre in 2031.
Flats to Fund Future Fitness
A key element of the financing strategy involves building a number of residential flats on the site in Brentford. Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, confirmed that the development of these flats is essential to fund the new leisure centre.
"There has to be flats built on this site which are going to fund the development of this leisure centre," Cllr Shaheen stated. He acknowledged this makes the project "an even more complicated development," but necessary work will be carried out throughout the year.
What Residents Want in the New Centre
The council says it has engaged with over 900 residents since plans were first revealed in October 2024 to gauge what they want from a modernised facility. Surveys of the current building have also been conducted to ensure it can operate safely until 2028.
Maintaining a swimming pool emerged as a top priority from this consultation. The council considered a pool-less option but concluded its absence would limit income from family activities and fail to meet public demand.
The proposed new centre promises significant upgrades, including:
- A larger and improved gym with assisted fitness.
- Modern standard sports halls.
- Larger studios for group exercise and interactive spinning.
- Modern swimming pools with moveable floors for flexible use.
- An interactive splash zone, sauna, and steam rooms.
- Enhanced changing facilities, a café, buggy parking, and bookable community spaces.
Councillor Tom Bruce, Lead Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, emphasised the forward-looking nature of the project. "The current building has served Brentford well, but it is ageing," he said. "These proposals give us the chance to plan ahead and look seriously at how we can provide a modern, high-quality leisure centre that works better for residents and represents good value for the council in the long term."
The council's Cabinet is set to review the plans, with a masterplan and completed designs targeted for the beginning of next year. No final construction decisions have been made, and the council pledges further resident engagement as work progresses.
