Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre

Client Havering Borough Council

Value £25 million

Location Hornchurch

Completion Spring 2021

Services

Architecture

Key stats

6,500+

Fitness members

£25m

Leisure centre investment

Wheelchair accessible

Gym and wet leisure facilities

Project details

GT3 was commissioned by Havering Borough Council and operator Everyone Active to develop the design for a new leisure centre in Harrow Lodge Park, replacing an existing facility that had become too costly to repair and more efficient to replace.

Set within a country park, community and sustainability were at the heart of the project. A prominent new café was positioned at the front of the building to encourage members of the public inside, while a landscaped public plaza creates space for visitors to gather and connect with the surrounding parkland.

The completed centre offers state-of-the-art leisure facilities, including spectator viewing galleries and a simple, legible layout designed to encourage greater participation in a wide range of activities. GT3 was also challenged to minimise the building’s visual impact on the park while giving the new leisure centre a clear identity of its own.

Key Deliverables

01

Commercial Value

Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre delivers commercial value as a £25 million leisure investment, delivered to budget during the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme incorporates Everyone Active’s operator branding and creates a high-quality, flexible facility that supports long-term participation and revenue resilience. Since opening, the centre has attracted more than 6,500 fitness members, demonstrating strong local demand and the value of investing in modern, accessible leisure provision.
02

Social Impact

Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre has created a key community hub for health, wellbeing and inclusive access to sport. The landscaped plaza, trails, play area and café strengthen the centre’s connection with Harrow Lodge Park, encouraging social interaction as well as physical activity. Inside, the wheelchair accessible gym, specialist diving pool and accessible wet leisure facilities help remove barriers to participation and support a wider range of users to take part with confidence.