Brent Council approves free child swimming and £1.5m leisure upgrades
New Bridge Park leisure centre and potential lido part of £600m Stonebridge regeneration
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Higher is stronger
Headline overpromises with 'borough of play' slogan not substantiated.
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Children in Brent will swim for free during the school holidays as part of a council plan to expand leisure access across the borough. The scheme, approved at a Cabinet meeting on 15 July 2024, covers all three sports centres in Willesden, Vale Farm, and Moberly. Residents aged 16 and under who live or study in Brent can take part without charge.
The free swimming programme is one part of a wider £1.5m investment in Brent’s leisure facilities. Brent Council confirmed the funding will go towards upgrades at all its sports centres. No timeline for the improvements has been released, but the council said the work would build on existing facilities.
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New leisure centre and lido plans
The Cabinet meeting also approved plans for a new leisure centre at Bridge Park in Stonebridge. The project, which has faced delays, is expected to unlock around £600m in wider regeneration for the area. Brent Council said the centre would include modern swimming, fitness, and community facilities.
Separately, the council will begin a feasibility study for a new lido. If approved, it would be the first outdoor pool built in Brent for decades. Cllr Gwen Grahl, Brent Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for Finance & Resources, said the lido would be a modern version of historic municipal pools, designed to be accessible to all residents.
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A Brent that plays together will be healthier, happier, and stronger. That is what becoming a borough of play is all about: not a slogan, but a commitment to put health, enjoyment, and opportunity within everyone’s reach.
Cllr Gwen Grahl, deputy leader and cabinet member for Finance & Resources, Brent Council
What happens next
The free swimming scheme is available now for the summer holidays. Residents can check Brent Council’s website for details on how to book sessions. The £1.5m leisure centre upgrades will proceed without further public consultation, though the council has not announced a completion date.
The Bridge Park leisure centre project will move to the next planning stage. Brent Council said it would provide updates on timelines and community engagement opportunities. The lido feasibility study is expected to take several months, with no decision on construction before early 2025.
Questions this report answers
+Who can get free swimming in Brent during the school holidays?
Children aged 16 and under who live or study in Brent can swim for free at Willesden, Vale Farm, and Moberly sports centres. The scheme runs during school holidays and is part of Brent Council’s leisure investment plan.
+How much is Brent Council spending on leisure centre improvements?
Brent Council is investing around £1.5m to upgrade all its leisure centres. The funding will improve existing facilities, though the council has not released details on specific works or timelines.
+What is the new leisure centre at Bridge Park expected to cost?
The cost of the new Bridge Park leisure centre has not been disclosed. Brent Council said the project could unlock £600m in wider investment for Stonebridge, including regeneration schemes.
+When will the new lido in Brent be built?
A feasibility study for the lido will begin soon, but no decision on construction is expected before early 2025. If approved, it would be the first outdoor pool built in Brent for decades.
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