Crystal Palace Sports Centre extensive rejig

Image: Mayor of London on Facebook

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recently unveiled new images that showcase the once-in-a-generation redevelopment Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London, England (UK) – improvements to the indoor facilities, the external pitches and the athletics stadium.

‘london.gov.uk’ stated that opened in 1964 the centre comprises an athletics stadium, an indoor arena, swimming and diving pools together with a large gym and a multitude of other internal and external sports facilities.

The 16,000-capacity National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in South London, England (UK) is a large sports center and outdoor athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964.

The historic venue was the site of the first Women’s FA Cup Final (the top annual Cup tournament for women’s clubs in English football) and has hosted everything from swimming and diving to athletics and Grand Prix motor racing over the years – but is now in need of major investment.

London (UK)-based The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863 it is the oldest football association in the world and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game in its territory.

‘london.gov.uk’ further stated that Sadiq announced plans for a redevelopment of the site in Summer 2023 to upgrade the sporting facilities for the local community and following a number of recent short-term improvements he unveiled new concept images showcasing how the centre is being developed to look in three years with completion on target for 2028.

The new images come as the Mayor confirmed the appointment of Morgan Sindall Construction (UK construction and regeneration company) to deliver the design and build of the centre. They will begin a pre-construction period immediately which will include detailed applications for planning and listed building consent before major works are planned to commence in the second half of next year.

The comprehensive redevelopment will include a complete rebuild of the swimming pools’ structure and improved sporting facilities. 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.

Last year Sadiq delivered a £23m investment boost from his Green Finance Fund to support the centre to go all-electric and reduce carbon emissions eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels for the first time in its 60-year history.

Stated Sadiq Khan, “The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is an historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many sporting stars of the United Kingdom have started their careers and trained but which needs major investment and refurbishment. I am committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come.”

Remarked Richard Dobson, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Area Director for London, “We’re delighted to have been appointed to this project as the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is an iconic facility that’s not only close to the hearts of people in the area but is also an important historic national sporting landmark. We look forward to continuing our close and collaborative relationship with the Greater London Authority on this regeneration. The project promises to breathe new life into the extensive sporting facilities while delivering a wide range of health, wellbeing and social value benefits for the local communities.”

Added Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, “I am delighted to see the appointment of a developer to deliver the multimillion-pound refurbishment of this Grade-II listed building. The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is the spiritual home of UK athletics, the site of 19 world records and a cherished community asset. The reopening of the 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool and refurbishment of the athletics facilities will secure these facilities for use by the local residents and the elite athletes for many years to come. I am particularly pleased that the planned installation of lifts means the facility will be accessible to more of our community for the first time. I’m grateful to the Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, Project Manager Ben Woods, the local Crystal Palace Councilors Ruth McGregor and Ryan Thomson and the community-led Crystal Palace Sports Partnership for their continued hard work on this project. I look forward to continuing to work with them.”

Commented Councilor Ruth McGregor, Councilor for Crystal Palace and Anerley, “I’m delighted the works to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre are now going ahead. I know the residents have been looking forward to this upgrade for a long time and it is more great news for South London.”

Maintained Councilor Ryan Thomson, Councilor for Crystal Palace and Anerley, “The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre holds such a special place within our community and the wider sporting world – with so many of us having trained, played sports and built lifelong memories with our families and friends there. We are thrilled to see this iconic venue in the heart of Crystal Palace being restored to its former glory. A huge thank you to Sir Sadiq Khan, the Greater London Authority and of course the tireless efforts of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership in making this once-in-a-generation restoration happen.”

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