Gazing at the Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex, can you envision Olympic athletes training here? This isn’t just a local leisure centre. It’s a piece of history, steeped in the spirit of competition and community. The Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex, originally centered around the Uxbridge Lido, has been a vital part of the community since 1935. It was built in the Art Deco style, a testament to the era’s modern aesthetic. The original construction cost £24,500, a considerable sum in those times. The project also provided employment for 120 local unemployed men, a boost to the local economy during a difficult period.
The Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex isn’t just a modern facility. It holds within its walls the echoes of the past. The outdoor pool, fountains, entrance building, and grandstand are all Grade II listed, protected for their historical significance. The pool, a unique twelve-sided star shape, is the only one of its kind remaining in the country. Imagine the scene in 1935, when the Uxbridge Urban District Council organised the grand opening. Reverend Luther Bouch, the chairman of the council, officially opened the lido, with Alf Price taking the reins as the first superintendent.
The Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex has witnessed moments of glory and periods of decline. During the 1948 Summer Olympics, athletes housed at the nearby RAF Uxbridge trained in the pool. The lido saw a closure after the 1982 season, only to be revived by the Uxbridge Pool Action Group in 1984 thanks to a grant. Solar panels and a water slide were added to try and increase its appeal. The lido faced further closures and vandalism over the years, but its historical importance couldn’t be ignored.
In 2000, a vision for the future of the Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex emerged. Plans were drawn up for a modern indoor pool alongside the restored lido. This new complex would include a health and fitness suite, a restaurant, and a sports hall. The project was a collaborative effort, with funding from the London Borough of Hillingdon, the London Development Agency, Sport England, and the Heritage Lottery Fund. In 2008, former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies marked the start of construction.
The athletic track, a key part of the complex, was even graced by Queen Elizabeth II during its opening in 2006. The indoor pool and sports complex opened its doors to the public in February 2010. Shortly after, the outdoor pool reopened, welcoming swimmers back to its revitalized waters. The Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex came full circle, a blend of old and new. The legacy of the lido lives on, now complemented by state-of-the-art facilities. It stands as a symbol of community resilience and the enduring power of sport and leisure. Even the South Korean Olympic Team recognized this, using the centre for training during the 2012 Olympic Games. The Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex, a testament to its past and a promise for the future.