South Norwood Leisure Centre
Encyclopedia
South Norwood Leisure Centre is a leisure centre located on Portland Road in South Norwood
, Croydon
, London. The centre has recently gone through a refurbishment process which has seen it closed for more than a year and a half. It contains a 25m sized swimming pool
with seating for spectators. The centre is owned by Parkwood Leisure and Sport Croydon.
-run Croydon Council announced that it would knock down the centre and re-build it from scratch, promising that the building would be a state of the art leisure facility. Originally, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone
, had given the go-ahead for the development of a £10 million multi-purpose sports and leisure centre on a new site next to Croydon Sports Arena in South Norwood on 3 December 2003, but this plan was shelved in favour of redeveloping the existing site.
The Council stated that the new leisure centre would take 18 months to build, and be finished by late 2007.
The planning of this was well under-way, but the 2006 local elections led to a change of political control of the Council. The Conservatives
changed the policy regarding the pool. After what they called "a long decision", the Conservatives decided, in an attempt to save money, that instead of re-building it they would simply refurbish the facility at a reduced cost of £4million.
The refurbishment is claimed to give the pool an extra 30 years of life and the council has defended the decision, insisting the £6million saving can be used for modernising facilities elsewhere. However, this decision angered many local residents in the surrounding area.
On 25 July 2006, the Council upheld its controversial decision to refurbish rather than rebuild it. Protesters were at the town hall for the meeting and handed over a 3,000 signature petition as part of a two-month campaign to persuade the council to change its mind. Nevertheless, it was announced the refurbishment plan would go ahead after a debate starting after 10pm. Campaigners claimed that their views had been ignored.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Hollands said: "I understand the disappointment but Croydon can't afford to build a new leisure centre." Councillor Sue Bennett, one of the ward councillors for South Norwood, stated: "To say it was a difficult decision is undoubted and to say it was the right decision is under much debate. However the council can't afford it." Community groups continue to campaign on the matter.
, Croydon
, New Addington
and elsewhere by the 130
, 197
and the 312.
Norwood Junction railway station
is the nearest overground station to the centre. The nearest Tramlink
stops are Harrington Road
for Beckenham
and Woodside
for Wimbledon
and Elmers End
.
South Norwood
South Norwood is an urban town and in south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a suburban development 7.8 miles south-east of Charing Cross. South Norwood is an electoral with a resident population in 2001 of just over 14,000...
, Croydon
London Borough of Croydon
The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in South London, England and is part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the largest London borough by population. It is the southernmost borough of London. At its centre is the historic town of Croydon from which the borough takes its name...
, London. The centre has recently gone through a refurbishment process which has seen it closed for more than a year and a half. It contains a 25m sized swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
with seating for spectators. The centre is owned by Parkwood Leisure and Sport Croydon.
Controversy
The centre has gone through a rough period recently. In 2005 the then LabourLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
-run Croydon Council announced that it would knock down the centre and re-build it from scratch, promising that the building would be a state of the art leisure facility. Originally, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone
Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone is an English politician who is currently a member of the centrist to centre-left Labour Party...
, had given the go-ahead for the development of a £10 million multi-purpose sports and leisure centre on a new site next to Croydon Sports Arena in South Norwood on 3 December 2003, but this plan was shelved in favour of redeveloping the existing site.
The Council stated that the new leisure centre would take 18 months to build, and be finished by late 2007.
The planning of this was well under-way, but the 2006 local elections led to a change of political control of the Council. The Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
changed the policy regarding the pool. After what they called "a long decision", the Conservatives decided, in an attempt to save money, that instead of re-building it they would simply refurbish the facility at a reduced cost of £4million.
The refurbishment is claimed to give the pool an extra 30 years of life and the council has defended the decision, insisting the £6million saving can be used for modernising facilities elsewhere. However, this decision angered many local residents in the surrounding area.
On 25 July 2006, the Council upheld its controversial decision to refurbish rather than rebuild it. Protesters were at the town hall for the meeting and handed over a 3,000 signature petition as part of a two-month campaign to persuade the council to change its mind. Nevertheless, it was announced the refurbishment plan would go ahead after a debate starting after 10pm. Campaigners claimed that their views had been ignored.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Hollands said: "I understand the disappointment but Croydon can't afford to build a new leisure centre." Councillor Sue Bennett, one of the ward councillors for South Norwood, stated: "To say it was a difficult decision is undoubted and to say it was the right decision is under much debate. However the council can't afford it." Community groups continue to campaign on the matter.
Transport links
There is a bus stop outside serving PeckhamPeckham
Peckham is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
, Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, New Addington
New Addington
New Addington is an area on the edge of South London in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a large local authority estate surrounded by open countryside, woodland and golf courses. The Prime Meridian crosses the eastern edge of New Addington...
and elsewhere by the 130
London Buses route 130
London Buses route 130 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metrobus.-History:...
, 197
London Buses route 197
London Buses route 197 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Arriva London....
and the 312.
Norwood Junction railway station
Norwood Junction railway station
Norwood Junction railway station is in South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon in south London, in Travelcard Zone 4.The station is managed by London Overground and trains operated by Southern and London Overground .-History:...
is the nearest overground station to the centre. The nearest Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
stops are Harrington Road
Harrington Road tram stop
Harrington Road tram stop is a light rail stop in South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London. Harrington Road is in a residential area, and along with Woodside tram stop is the nearest tram stop to the town of South Norwood...
for Beckenham
Beckenham
Beckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
and Woodside
Woodside tram stop
Woodside tram stop is a light rail stop situated between Woodside Green and Ashburton Park in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London...
for Wimbledon
Wimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
and Elmers End
Elmers End
Elmers End is a place in London Borough of Bromley, England. It has a large green space which is the centre of a gyratory. Very close to the combined railway station and Tramlink terminus bearing its name is the old sewage farm. The remains of this industrial site can still be seen...
.