Bromley (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Mayor Sadiq Khan has greenlit a £130m refurbishment of Bromley’s sports centre, marking a major investment in local infrastructure and community well-being.
The redevelopment of Crystal Palace has no drawbacks. Khan remarks as construction finally gets underway to restore the disused National Sports Centre to operational condition, possibly even as part of a campaign to have London host the 2040 Olympics.
Today, plans were released for the £130 million renovation of the long-neglected Crystal Palace sports center, which should finally allow the swimming pools and athletics stadium to be fully utilized again for both elite international events and the community in south London.
Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, even believes that Crystal Palace will play a significant role in the city’s 2040 Olympic bid.
“I am committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come,” the London Mayor said in releasing the long-awaited refurbishment plans.”
Top track and field meetings, which from the 1960s through to 2010 saw Crystal Palace as the home of British athletics, could return.
“I want to see Diamond League events at Crystal Palace,”
the Mayor said.
“It’s been neglected but I want Crystal Palace to be restored to its former glory.
There’s no downside to redeveloping Crystal Palace. The community will benefit, the restaurants will benefit, the public transport will benefit, the parks will benefit.”
The announcement today coincides with the revelation that a £52 million rehabilitation project to update and revitalize Crystal Palace Park, the location of the sports center, has begun.
Following the Greater London Council’s dissolution and the loss of a strategic authority for the capital, the park and the sports center suffered from neglect. The capital’s sporting facilities were then moved to Stratford for the 2012 Olympics. After the Games, Crystal Palace was meant to become a “legacy” venue, however due to national government austerity and COVID, such plans were shelved.
The 50-meter swimming pool and diving pool, which were formerly the nation’s top sporting venues, have not been utilized since 2020 when major cracks and draining were found in the 60-year-old building.
The news was made two years after Ben Woods was named project manager by Mayor Sir Sadiq. In order to modernize the center with an exquisite “once-in-a-generation” restoration plan, Woods has recently hired a contractor, Morgan Sindall Construction.
Significant restrictions apply to the property, such as the main building’s Grade II* listing. The building was constructed in the early 1960s and is known for its innovative use of concrete in engineering.
According to the most recent designs, the athletics stadium and sports hall will be separated by a 200-meter outdoor track and a 100-meter indoor sprinting facility. “The fact that the planning application we submit later this year will cover the entire center is fantastic for the project,” Woods stated.
The importance of sport to the economy was described in a recent report for City Hall, which is thought to be the first step in preparing London’s bid to host the Olympic Games for the fourth time.
The mayor “also sees the importance of inspiring future generations to participate at elite and amateur level,” according to The Times.
“I grew up watching Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Steve Cram and Daley Thompson competing at Crystal Palace. They were magical nights,”
the Mayor said, apparently having missed the performances of Sally Gunnell, Tessa Sanderson, Denise Lewis or Paula Radcliffe…
Weight rooms, a sizable gym, a trampolining room—which is crucial for gymnasts as well as the renowned diving school that used to be housed there—and numerous other indoor and outdoor sports facilities are all part of the National Sports Centre, which opened in 1964.
Prior to that, the location had a century’s worth of sporting history as part of the massive Crystal Palace Victorian theme park, which was situated atop Sydenham Hill.
This included hosting the FA Cup final between 1895 and 1914, hosting rugby union international matches, and having a cricket team under the management of WG Grace.
More recently, the sports center staged arena music concerts, housed the American football and rugby league teams in London, and hosted a special event for Pope John Paul II’s visit.
However, by 2021, the pools had dried up and even the track’s floodlights had failed, necessitating their immediate removal due to the possibility of collapse.
“Concept images showcasing how the center is being developed to look in three years”
were part of today’s announcement.
Morgan Sindall will start the pre-construction phase right away, which will involve thorough planning and listed building permission applications. The second half of 2026 is when major construction is expected to start.
“The comprehensive redevelopment will include a complete rebuild of the swimming pools’ structure and improved sporting facilities,”
a statement from the Mayor’s office said.
“A number of short-term improvements have already taken place over the past 12 months, including repairing the athletics track, installing temporary floodlighting, creating a café and soft play facility and upgrading the fitness gym.”
The announcement represents a victory for the community-led Crystal Palace Sports Partnership, which includes individuals like John Powell, a former police officer and coach of elite athletes, who have been actively advocating for over ten years to keep the priceless facilities in good condition for future generations.
How will the refurbishment impact the local community in Bromley?
The athletics stadium, indoor arena, gym, outdoor fields, and swimming and diving pools will all receive significant improvements as a result of the extensive renovation.
This will support both amateur and professional athletes by giving locals access to state-of-the-art facilities for a variety of sports and physical activities.
It is anticipated that enhanced and extended sports facilities will encourage social interaction, healthier lifestyles, and physical activity among individuals of all ages.
More chances for physical activity, leisure, and social gatherings will be provided by the facility, enhancing general wellbeing.
From big sporting events to children’s swimming lessons, the center has traditionally served as a center for culture and social interaction. In addition to providing a meeting spot for local organizations, schools, and families, its restoration will aid in reviving a feeling of communal pride.