A TEN-year contract to manage its leisure centres has been awarded by Hillingdon Council to Greenwich Leisure Ltd.

From February 23, GLL will manage Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex in Uxbridge, Botwell Centre at Hayes, Highgrove Pool and Queensmead Sports Centre in Ruislip. 

GLL is planning:

  • Free swimming and swimming lessons for residents aged 65 and over.
  • Free swimming for looked-after children
  • An exercise referral scheme aimed at getting more people into physical activity.
  • A cardiac rehabilitation scheme
  • Pool time for the borough’s elite swimming team, based at Hillingdon Complex
  • Free hire by clubs for people with disabilities based at Highgrove Pool, Queensmead and Botwell Green
  • Free hire for teams competing in London Youth Games and school sports events 
  • An expanded gymnastics programme at Botwell Green
  • The launch of a Tom Daley Diving Academy at Highgrove Pool. 

Hillingdon is also to spend £3m improving all of its leisure centres.

Cllr Richard Lewis, the Cabinet Member responsible for leisure, said: “GLL have more than 25 years of experience in the leisure industry. 

“This agreement will boost and build on our extensive leisure offer, while providing good value for money.” 

Simon Sen, Regional Director of GLL, stressed the ethical and community benefits of its not-for-profit, social enterprise status, delivered under the Better brand. It already manages some of the borough’s leisure sites.

Until now, the Hilingdon complex in Gatting Way, Uxbridge, has been operated by Fusion.