Stunning images of the proposed redevelopment of Crystal Palace’s swimming pool and sports centre have been released – with a promise the work will be completed by 2028.
The “once in a generation” upgrade to the National Sports Centre will include major refurbishment of the 50m swimming and diving pools and improvements to the indoor facilities, external pitches and athletics stadium.
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan published the images as he confirmed that contractors Morgan Sindall Construction had been appointed to deliver the new facilities.
Work will begin “immediately” on detailed applications for planning and listed building consent, before major works are planned to commence in the “second half of next year”.
The deteriorating state of the swimming pools and track, which opened in 1964, have been a decades-long saga.
The 50m pool closed in 2020 after serious cracks were identified in its base.
More than 40,000 people signed a petition urging the mayor to help reopen the pool.
A mayoral pledge was made in 2023 to get the changes underway with a series of minor improvements.
City Hall said on Thursday that the redevelopment was “particularly complex” as the 60-year-old building that houses the swimming pools and indoor facilities has a protected grade II* listed structure that needs to be redeveloped in accordance with heritage guidelines.
Sir Sadiq said: “Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is an historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but which needs major investment and refurbishment.
“I am committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come.
“With short-term improvements already delivered and Morgan Sindall Construction now appointed to deliver the design and build of the centre, we look forward to working closely with partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue as we work together to build a better, healthy London for all.”
Peter Fortune, the Tory MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill, who as a London Assembly member led a long campaign to get the redevelopment underway, said: “For too long, the Mayor left Crystal Palace National Sports Centre to crumble.
“I’m delighted that after years of pushing for investment at City Hall, major investment in the centre is on its way. These impressive new and revived sports facilities will be a major addition to South East London.”
There are four swimming pools but the 50m competition pool and the diving pool have been out of use since 2020. A 25m pool and a teaching pool remain in use.
The sports stadium has fallen into a state of semi-ruin - a legacy of the decision to build a new 2012 London Olympics stadium in Stratford rather than at Crystal Palace - but has hosted open-air concerts by Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay.
The mayor had previously come under pressure to guarantee that the indoor track would be replaced with one of the same length.
Plans for the refurbishment of the centre were originally meant to have been submitted in 2022.
The “comprehensive” redevelopment will include a complete rebuild of the swimming pools’ structure and improved sporting facilities.
A number of short-term improvements have already taken place over the past 12 months, including repairing the athletics track, installing temporary floodlighting, creating a café and soft play facility and upgrading the fitness gym.
Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, said: “Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is the spiritual home of UK athletics, the site of 19 world records and a cherished community asset.
“The re-opening of the 50m Olympic sized swimming pool and refurbishment of the athletics facilities will secure these facilities for use by local residents and elite athletes for many years to come.
“I am particularly pleased that the planned installation of lifts means the facility will be accessible to more of our community for the first time.”
Richard Dobson, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Area Director for London, said: “The project promises to breathe new life into the extensive sporting facilities, while delivering a wide range of health, wellbeing, and social value benefits for local communities.”
