Minister for Sport declares Lewisham’s new health & leisure centre one of the best in the country

The official opening of Lewisham’s Downham Health and Leisure Centre took place yesterday when Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, MP David Lammy, visited the centre with Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham.

The new centre is a model for community health, leisure and well-being provision.  Some of the facilities includes a 25m six-lane swimming pool, library, fitness suite, exhibition space, dance studios, Accesspoint for council services and crèche.

It has taken only 15 months to build and complete the new centre and its facilities, which is situated off Moorside Road on the site of the former Downham baths and library buildings.

David Lammy said:

"I'm really impressed, this is one of the best centres I have seen in the country.

"The fitness areas, library and service centre are excellent.

"When the health facilities start running in May, Downham Health and Leisure Centre will be a great model for comprehensive health and leisure services.

"It's a brilliant centre for the local community.  Lewisham should be proud and everyone in the borough should make full use of it."

Steve Bullock said: "I'm delighted this fantastic, unique facility is now officially open to all.

"It’s a credit to partnership working in Lewisham and a landmark for Downham.

"I recommend everyone try and visit it.

"And the view from the pool is great!"

Chris Best, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "This is part of Lewisham's investment in expanding and improving swimming pools in the borough. The Downham Health Centre is so much more than a pool - the health, fitness and outdoor facilities make this such a brilliant centre to have on our doorstep.

"I hope that the people of Lewisham will enjoy the facility and make full use of it."

Total facilities for the centre include:

25m six-lane swimming pool

13m x 10m learner pool

fitness suite

badminton court  

dance and activity studios

library with associated meeting area and dedicated ICT spaces

exhibition space

café

AccessPoint for council services

crèche

community hall with meeting room and kitchen

two GP surgeries

community health care facilities

dental practice.

In addition to the new centre, facilities also include the refurbished Downham Playing Fields which were completed in September 06 and entail:

upgraded open sports pitch areas

new changing rooms, pavilion and rangers office  

a sculptured informal park area with a stream and footbridge.

The health facilities for the centre will be up and running in May this year.

The contractor managing the centre is Leisure Connections.

Notes to editors:

Details of the Official opening:

Event: Opening of the Downham Health and Leisure Centre

Date: 29th March 2007

Time: 11.45am to1pm

Venue: 7-9 Moorside Road, Downham, Bromley, BR1