West Drayton leisure centre draws 2,000 visitors

More than 2,000 people visited West Drayton’s new Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre during a free opening weekend that gave families a first proper look at the pools, climbing wall, gym space and sports hall now available locally.

The two-day event, held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, came just over a month after the centre opened on 20 April. For many residents, the draw was practical: a nearby place for children’s activities, swimming lessons, fitness classes and indoor sport without having to travel across the borough.

Hillingdon Council said the centre has already issued more than 1,700 health memberships and signed up 700 swim school members since opening.

Free weekend brought families into the new centre

The open weekend gave residents and visitors complimentary access to a wide range of activities. Swimming sessions included use of the splash pool and flume, while other options covered gym sessions, fitness classes, soft play, clip and climb, basketball, badminton and pickleball.

For a new public leisure facility, those early attendance figures give a clearer picture of demand than opening-day photographs alone. The centre is being used not only as a fitness venue, but as a family and community space for children, parents and residents looking for regular local activities.

The event also landed during a busy period for families searching for low-cost ways to keep children active. Across London, councils and leisure partners have been putting more emphasis on accessible sports and holiday activities, including free family sports sessions elsewhere in London.

West Drayton residents say location matters

Veronica Barker, from West Drayton, attended with her nine-year-old daughter Summer and tried the clip and climb activity.

“I think the open weekend is great for the community personally,” she said. “There are people who can’t travel as far so having it local is great and it’s a good opportunity to socialise and meet new people.”

She added that if Summer enjoyed the clip and climb, it could become something they used weekly or monthly.

Gloria De Decker, also from West Drayton, said the centre helped people see what was available close to home. “It’s good for people to come together and to see what’s available. The children can play, and it’s affordable,” she said.

Those comments point to one of the main local effects of the new centre: convenience. Leisure centres often work best when they are close enough to become part of a routine, especially for swimming lessons, after-school activity and regular exercise.

Pools, climbing, gym and court sports under one roof

The Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre is being managed by Greenwich Leisure Limited, known as GLL, Hillingdon Council’s established leisure partner.

The facilities promoted during the weekend show the broad audience the centre is trying to serve. Younger children had access to soft play and splash pool sessions. Families tried the flume and clip and climb. Adults could sample gym and fitness classes, while the sports hall offered basketball, badminton and pickleball.

That mix matters because a single-use facility can quickly become limited to one age group or one habit. A multi-activity centre gives households more reasons to return, whether for a swim school place, a fitness membership, casual court booking or a child’s climbing session.

Early membership numbers show strong demand

Since opening on 20 April, the centre has passed two early markers: more than 1,700 health memberships issued and 700 swim school members signed up.

For West Drayton, those numbers suggest the centre is already becoming part of local routines rather than remaining a one-off opening attraction. Swim school sign-ups are especially relevant for families because lesson availability can be a pressure point in areas where demand is high and travel time limits choices.

Daniel Kennedy, Hillingdon Council’s Corporate Director of Residents Services, said the early response was encouraging.

“It’s so encouraging to hear how residents are already benefiting from these facilities which are intended to support all ages and abilities to live healthy and active lives,” he said.

How residents can find out more

Residents who want to check memberships, swim school places, activity times or bookings can search for the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre through Better, the leisure brand operated by GLL.

The centre is now open in West Drayton, with the council directing residents to sign up through Better’s Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre page.

Source: Hillingdon Council