Facing some of the highest housing pressures in the country, alongside higher than average levels of physical inactivity, Tower Hamlets Council is progressing investment plans in two key leisure projects that will modernise facilities, support healthier communities and deliver new homes for local people.
The approved redevelopment of St George’s Leisure Centre is now underway, while proposals for the transformation of Whitechapel Sports Centre will be considered by Cabinet on 24 March. Together, the schemes will provide modern, inclusive leisure spaces that meet rising demand, help address longstanding health inequalities, and create high-quality, sustainable buildings.
The national picture shows around 500 public swimming pools have closed since 2010, yet Tower Hamlets continues to expand access to affordable leisure. More than 20,000 residents have signed up for free swimming, and over 37,000 Be Well memberships have been taken up across the borough, driven by strong engagement from women and girls. With the population projected to grow by 13% and demand for swimming facilities by 12%, both schemes will help expand and futureproof local swimming provision.
St George’s Leisure Centre
Today, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman visited the St George’s Leisure Centre site to see first hand how the redevelopment is progressing. The project has already reached several important milestones, with planning permission approved in October 2025, strip out works now complete, and tender returns currently being evaluated to appoint a Principal Contractor. Work is moving into its next major phase, with demolition scheduled for later in 2026 and the new centre expected to open in 2028.
The £67 million redevelopment will deliver a modern, high quality leisure hub designed to meet BREEAM Excellent standards and support long term community wellbeing. The new facility will include:
- Active hall with badminton court
- Fitness suite, including women only space
The wider scheme will also deliver new homes and improved public spaces for the local community. This includes 30 new council-owned homes (with 3 fully accessible units), as well as enhancements to the surrounding public realm such as:
Whitechapel Sports Centre
Alongside the redevelopment of St George’s, Tower Hamlets Council is proposing to begin feasibility work for a full redevelopment of Whitechapel Sports Centre, one of the borough’s highest-need areas.
Subject to Cabinet approval on 24 March, the project will progress to early design and feasibility stages, unlocking the next steps toward delivering improved leisure facilities and new affordable council homes. The proposal to Cabinet recommends an initial £2.3million investment to progress the redevelopment.
The proposed redevelopment includes:
The current centre does not meet local needs, it has no swimming pool, limited gym capacity and outdated facilities. The investment aims to ensure Whitechapel residents have access to high-quality, inclusive leisure provision that supports their long-term health and wellbeing.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“Tower Hamlets is investing in modern, inclusive leisure facilities and new council homes to meet rising demand, improve health outcomes and strengthen our local communities.
"And at a time when over 500 swimming pools have been closed across the country, I'm proud that Tower Hamlets is progressing investment plans in two leisure centres, each with swimming pools, and that we are leading the way by introducing free swimming for thousands of residents. Swimming is a vital life skill and we want all children in our borough to be able to learn to swim, without facing financial barriers.
“The redevelopment of St George’s Leisure Centre, alongside the proposed transformation of Whitechapel Sports Centre, forms part of our wider programme to expand access to affordable, high quality leisure provision while addressing the significant housing need across the borough.”
Posted on Tuesday 17th March 2026