Proposed gym reconfiguration and fitness improvements at Willesden Sports Centre

The total £1.4 million proposed investment combines a council contribution of up to £393,752, alongside operator investment and funding for planned replacement and renewal under the centre’s existing contract.

The proposals include a new larger gym with improved equipment, a dedicated spin studio and a new flexible multi-use activity space. They aim to improve capacity, accessibility, and opportunities to be active. The existing gym would become a new flexible multi-use activity space.

The proposals involve reconfiguring the indoor running tube space into an enlarged gym, ending its remaining use for indoor athletics.

Read on to find out more about the proposals, the intended benefits, the effects on existing users and how existing and recent past users can make further representations.

Why are these changes being proposed?

Willesden Sports Centre opened in 2006 and has remained in its original configuration since then. Over the last 20 years, participation patterns, resident need and expectations, operating models, and demand for accessible public leisure provision have changed significantly.

The proposals respond to capacity and layout constraints in the existing gym and fitness facilities. Operator information records approximately 3,500 fitness members using an 110-station gym.

An independent external review identified constraints in gym capacity, layout and group exercise provision. Customer feedback and equipment-use information also highlighted concerns about space and equipment availability.

The proposals aim to address these identified constraints, improve accessibility and support the centre’s long-term sustainability. The wider availability of leisure facilities, including capacity lost following the closure of Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre in July 2025, also forms part of the context.

How is the indoor running tube used now?

The indoor running tube has not operated in its original dedicated 60m indoor athletics track configuration since Covid. A substantial part of the space has since been used for gym, fitness and group exercise provision, while athletics and other activities have used the remaining space.

Operator records show formal indoor athletics bookings typically account for approximately 6.5 hours a week over approximately 34 weeks of the year. Other recorded bookings in the space are for non-athletics activities.

Formal booking records do not capture all use of the space, including informal and weather dependent use.

The part of the space occupied by gym equipment is available for use throughout the centre’s opening hours, alongside the booked activities.

What would change?

The proposals consist of three main parts:

• An enlarged gym in the indoor running-tube space. Existing gym equipment would be brought together with replacement and additional equipment. The proposal is for 172 fitness stations, with approximately 25% more cardio equipment, additional resistance equipment and free weights, and space for strength and conditioning.

• A flexible multi-use activity space in the existing gym. Moving the gym would release this space for organised sport, exercise and community activities. The proposed programme would broaden the activities available to children, young people, families and adults, including women-only sessions and activities for disabled people.
• A dedicated spin studio. The proposal includes improvements to the studio’s layout and lighting.

Young people already use the gym through junior memberships and supervised sessions, including organised sessions for schools, colleges, and clubs. The proposals would build on this with additional sessions for young people. Those aged 16 and over can hold an individual membership and use the gym independently. Under-16s can attend through junior membership arrangements or supervised sessions.

What would this mean for existing users?

The proposal would end the remaining indoor athletics use of the running tube. Other organised activities using the space would also be affected.

The council and operator have been working with affected users and groups on alternative arrangements within the centre, including the sports hall and the proposed multi-use activity space.

These spaces are not like-for-like replacements for indoor athletics provision.These arrangements and their limitations will form part of the information considered before a decision is made.

The outdoor 400m athletics track is unaffected by the scheme and is not proposed for change. It remains an important part of the offer at Willesden and part of the Council’s wider strategic plans.

How are equality impacts being considered?

The Equality Impact Assessment considers how the proposals could affect different groups.

It recognises adverse impacts on existing users, including girls, disabled young people and ethnically diverse communities. It also identifies potential benefits for these same groups, as well as older people and people with long-term health conditions. Increased capacity, improved equipment, and a wider choice of activities could benefit both current and future users.

The assessment recognises that alternative arrangements do not remove all adverse impacts. The assessment supports continuing with implementation, subject to the outstanding implementation requirements and the actions set out in its action plan. It does not conclude that the wider benefits cancel out the specific adverse impacts identified.

The Equality Impact Assessment will be considered alongside all representations received before a final decision is made.

How to share your views

The council is inviting representations from existing and recent past users of Willesden Sports Centre, including clubs, organisations, and individual users.

Please email: leisure@brent.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026. All representations previously received will be taken into account. You do not need to resubmit or resend representations that have already provided.

What happens next?

The decision on the final configuration, including whether the indoor running tube space is retained or reconfigured as proposed, is delegated to the Corporate Director of Service Reform and Strategy. That decision will be taken by 25 November 2026, after considering all representations received.