Last updated on 20 March 2026
Kingston Leisure Centre – work underway
Residents of Chessington have long campaigned for more public leisure facilities, particularly a swimming pool, in the south of the borough. The Kingfisher in Kingston closed in 2019 due to maintenance issues, with the promise from the council of a new facility opening in 2024.
Since then there has been just one public swimming pool in the borough at The Malden Centre, pushing many Chessington residents to seek access to affordable swimming and leisure facilities outside the borough in Leatherhead or Elmbridge, or not participating at all.
The long-awaited planning application for the Kingston Leisure Centre (on the old Kingfisher site) was submitted in November 2024 and approved in February 2025. The consent is for the provision of a main pool and learner pool, fitness studios, gym, sports halls, health suite, changing facilities, café, soft play, enhancements to the existing outdoor play area, landscaping and public realm, cycle parking, blue badge car parking, access and associated works.
The planning committee approved the construction contract in March 2025. The enabling works by the council’s construction partner, Pellikaan, started in May 2025. Early activity included the creation of a temporary site access and pruning of trees “in line with planning permission”. The target for opening the new building is spring 2027.
According to The Kingston Society, the redevelopment of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre seeks to deliver a modern, accessible facility, but financial, timeline, and community concerns remain. Collaboration will be key to success.
Works progress update – 20th March 2026
Kingston Leisure Centre reaches new stage
The main steel structure of the new leisure centre is now fully in place and the timber roof beams installed.
The swimming pool has been filled as part of essential watertight testing, while teams have begun enclosing the building to make it weatherproof ahead of its planned Spring 2027 opening.
Once complete, the centre will offer a wide range of modern, inclusive facilities shaped by community feedback. These include a 25-metre, eight-lane pool, a learner pool, gym, multi-use studios, sports hall, squash courts, health suite, soft play area and café.
