Sobell Leisure Centre redevelopment

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Why are we proposing to redevelop the Sobell Leisure Centre?

The Sobell Leisure Centre is a much-loved leisure and sporting facility providing a range of facilities for residents and visitors in one of Islington’s most deprived wards.

In August 2022, the centre suffered a major flood due to a Thames Water main bursting. The flood affected the entire ground floor of the Sobell Centre, including all the facilities and fittings such as the Trampoline Park, Ice Rink, Squash Courts, gym and soft play area. All these sections have been condemned and have been stripped back to the shell of the building. While some sections of the centre (eg. the gym) have been reopened, these areas still need to undergo extensive repair works.

Due to the devastation caused by the flood, the council now has the opportunity to revisit the facilities and services on offer at the centre and make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy the centre. We would like to hear from the local community about what you would like to see at the Sobell Leisure Centre.


Local community to help shape the Future of the Sobell Leisure Centre

The council’s exciting plans for the Sobell Leisure Centre have been approved, and it is gearing up to begin a programme of engagement with Islington’s diverse communities. The council will be inviting local people to help create an inclusive programme of activities at the new Sobell Leisure Centre, so that people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the huge benefits of sport and physical activity.

To support its mission to create a more equal future by challenging inequality, the council will reach out to people that are typically underrepresented in sport and fitness – such as women and girls, low-income families, disabled people, Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, and older adults – to create a truly inclusive programme of activities.

It comes after the council held a six-week consultation, in which 1,003 people put forward their ideas, insights, and vision for the Sobell Leisure Centre – which had its ground floor written off following a devastating flood last August.

During the consultation, local people told how they wanted to see a more inclusive range of activities. The council and GLL – the charitable enterprise that run Sobell on the council’s behalf - have listened, and are preparing to make the following, transformative improvements:

  • Working directly with groups that are typically underrepresented in sports to create a programme of activities that is inclusive for all. This could result in targeted sessions for specific groups, inclusive sports such as wheelchair basketball, and multi-generational sessions.
  • Following feedback during the consultation, the range of sports on offer will be greatly increased. Sports that could be added to the site include handball, paddle tennis, archery, netball, indoor cricket, and hockey.
  • Creating a high-energy, fun, active zone for people of all ages.
  • Expanding and improving existing facilities, including the squash courts, gym, dojo, and boxing studio.

Soon, the council will set out the process of how it will work directly with groups that are underrepresented in sport and physical activity to create an inclusive programme of activities.

If you would like to stay up to date with the project please subscribe using the subscribe button on the right.

For any questions, or for more information regarding the Sobell Centre, please email: sobell@islington.gov.uk

Why are we proposing to redevelop the Sobell Leisure Centre?

The Sobell Leisure Centre is a much-loved leisure and sporting facility providing a range of facilities for residents and visitors in one of Islington’s most deprived wards.

In August 2022, the centre suffered a major flood due to a Thames Water main bursting. The flood affected the entire ground floor of the Sobell Centre, including all the facilities and fittings such as the Trampoline Park, Ice Rink, Squash Courts, gym and soft play area. All these sections have been condemned and have been stripped back to the shell of the building. While some sections of the centre (eg. the gym) have been reopened, these areas still need to undergo extensive repair works.

Due to the devastation caused by the flood, the council now has the opportunity to revisit the facilities and services on offer at the centre and make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy the centre. We would like to hear from the local community about what you would like to see at the Sobell Leisure Centre.


Local community to help shape the Future of the Sobell Leisure Centre

The council’s exciting plans for the Sobell Leisure Centre have been approved, and it is gearing up to begin a programme of engagement with Islington’s diverse communities. The council will be inviting local people to help create an inclusive programme of activities at the new Sobell Leisure Centre, so that people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the huge benefits of sport and physical activity.

To support its mission to create a more equal future by challenging inequality, the council will reach out to people that are typically underrepresented in sport and fitness – such as women and girls, low-income families, disabled people, Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, and older adults – to create a truly inclusive programme of activities.

It comes after the council held a six-week consultation, in which 1,003 people put forward their ideas, insights, and vision for the Sobell Leisure Centre – which had its ground floor written off following a devastating flood last August.

During the consultation, local people told how they wanted to see a more inclusive range of activities. The council and GLL – the charitable enterprise that run Sobell on the council’s behalf - have listened, and are preparing to make the following, transformative improvements:

  • Working directly with groups that are typically underrepresented in sports to create a programme of activities that is inclusive for all. This could result in targeted sessions for specific groups, inclusive sports such as wheelchair basketball, and multi-generational sessions.
  • Following feedback during the consultation, the range of sports on offer will be greatly increased. Sports that could be added to the site include handball, paddle tennis, archery, netball, indoor cricket, and hockey.
  • Creating a high-energy, fun, active zone for people of all ages.
  • Expanding and improving existing facilities, including the squash courts, gym, dojo, and boxing studio.

Soon, the council will set out the process of how it will work directly with groups that are underrepresented in sport and physical activity to create an inclusive programme of activities.

If you would like to stay up to date with the project please subscribe using the subscribe button on the right.

For any questions, or for more information regarding the Sobell Centre, please email: sobell@islington.gov.uk

  • CLOSED: This survey is now closed

    Sobell Leisure Centre survey

    The future of the Sobell Leisure Centre

    We have an opportunity to review what's on offer at Sobell Leisure Centre and are asking for your views to help us shape the centre's facilities and services. We want to make sure as many people as possible can enjoy the Sobell Leisure Centre. 

    We are very grateful for your feedback and time. This survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete. Your responses will be anonymous, and your participation is voluntary. Responding to the survey indicates you are consenting to take part. For any questions, or for more information regarding the Sobell Centre consultation, please email: sobell@islington.gov.uk

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 11 Aug 2023, 10:21 AM