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The newly refurbished gym and squash courts at Sobell Leisure Centre are now open

• The gym, pictured on the right, is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and a functional training zone. This includes a wide range of cardio machines, strength and resistance equipment and free weights. The temporary gym has now been released which enables the main programme of works to progress.
• The six squash courts, pictured on the right, have been fully refurbished with new flooring, internal walls, and lighting, with fresh paintwork. They have a range of prices that suit everyone’s needs including daytime off-peak pricing to encourage users back throughout our seven days a week programme.

Programme of reopening

The remainder of the centre that has been closed due to the flood will open in phases throughout 2024.

• Spring: fully refurbished ground floor changing facilities with group changing and changing places; purpose-built gymnastics zone with a permanent sprung floorspace, A bars, high bars, wall bars, a vault, and a range of moveable items. An image giving an outline of what the gymnastics zone could look like is to the right.
• Summer: a new active play area for under 8s with a café and party rooms. Images showing what the active play area could look like are to the right.
• Autumn: a new eight-court multi-purpose sports hall with new sprung flooring lighting, floor markings and equipment; the new Active Zone area, which will replace the former Trampoline Park. Images showing what the Active Zone area could look like are to the right.

Sobell leisure centre also offers fitness sessions, football, gymnastics, sauna and steam, and activities solely for young people, people aged 55+, and women and girls.

Background: Sobell Leisure Centre Redevelopment

The Sobell Leisure Centre is a much-loved leisure and sporting facility providing a range of facilities for residents and visitors.

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 centre, including all the facilities and fittings such as the trampoline park, ice rink, squash courts, gym and soft play area, which require extensive repair works.

Due to the devastation caused by the flood, the council took 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.

The council’s exciting plans for the centre were approved in July 2023. This followed a six-week consultation, in which 1,003 people put forward their ideas, insights, and vision for the centre.

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 runs the centre on the council’s behalf – have taken time to look at the results of the consultation to ensure that the redesign of the centre best meets what local people have said, and are delighted 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 dojo and boxing gym.

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