Abbey Leisure Centre 

Regeneration Success: Abbey Leisure Centre Opens as a Modern Hub for Fitness, Relaxation, and Fun.

The new Abbey Leisure Centre replaces the outdated Abbey Sports Centre from the 1980s, marking a significant milestone in the Barking Town Centre Development Programme. This modern facility features a 25-meter, six-lane community pool and a 17×8 meter teaching pool, catering to both recreational and instructional swimming.

Enhancements include a themed kids’ play area, a café, and a health and beauty suite. Relaxation options are extensive, with a hydrotherapy pool, Salt Grotto, Aroma Steam, Crystal Steam, and Rock Sauna. Specialized showers and a mix of wet and dry treatment rooms are also provided, along with a juice bar and lounge area for added comfort. The centre includes a village-style changing area for pool users and separate facilities for spa and fitness guests.

On the first floor, visitors can use a 135-station fitness suite, a martial arts studio, and two aerobics studios. A viewing gallery offers seating overlooking the pool, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere. Public realm and hard landscaping were designed to adhere to the Barking Code, ensuring seamless integration into the urban environment.

Results

We conducted extensive stakeholder and public consultations, including presentations to the Urban Design Forum and CABE affiliates. Additionally, focus groups, such as accessibility advocates, provided valuable insights that were continuously integrated into the design process. In terms of sustainability, we prioritized achieving a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. For instance, early considerations included integrating a Combined District Heating scheme with neighboring public facilities.

March 2015