The pool at Chelsea Sports Centre will be closed for around four months
Chelsea Sport Centre’s Swimming Pool – first opened in April 1907 – will be out of action between Sunday, July 12 and November 2026(Image: Westminster City Council)
A 119-year-old West London swimming pool will be closed for around four months so that it can get a £1.3 million council-funded makeover.
The improvements will protect the historic pool, which is considered one of Kensington and Chelsea’s heritage assets.
Chelsea Sports Centre’s swimming pool – first opened in April 1907 – will be out of action between Sunday, July 12 and sometime in November 2026. Swimming will be offered to members at alternative Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) centres, which can be found locally and across the UK.
The revamp will replace the pool mechanics, roof and change the depth of the pool to a more standardised one to a 1.8 metre gradient. Refurbishment of the pool’s surfaces and reshaping of the main pool will also take place, while also reducing water and energy demand.
Chelsea Sports Centre’s existing swimming pool(Image: Westminster City Council)
Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council and Royal Hospital ward councillor, said: “For generations, Chelsea Sports Centre has been where local children have learned to swim, families have spent time together and residents of all ages have stayed active.
“This pool has been a part of Chelsea life for almost 120 years, and this investment means it can continue serving local people for the next century.”
The improvements are being delivered by the council in partnership with GLL. Funding will come from Section 106 money, which comes from developers, and grant funding.
Cllr Josh Rendall, lead member with responsibility for leisure facilities, said: “This historic pool has been in use for 119 years, making it an important part of the borough’s history as well as a vital health and fitness facility for Chelsea.
“This investment protects a valued heritage asset, suiting it to the needs of residents in 2026, and boosting its energy efficiency so that it can be enjoyed for decades to come.”
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