Brent’s Leisure investments announced

Brent has approved a £3.25 million investment for Vale Farm Sports Centre and Willesden Sports Centre, forming part of an overall improvement programme worth nearly £4.25 million.

The funding will modernise facilities, upgrade fitness spaces and make the centres more welcoming, inclusive and accessible for residents.

At Vale Farm, the work will include major repairs and renewals to protect the building and ensure it remains safe, reliable and fit for purpose. The gym, studios and wider fitness areas will also be improved, including the women ’s-only gym. At Willesden, upgrades will transform the gym and fitness facilities, improving the layout, capacity and user experience.

Councillor Liz Dixon said the investment reflects Brent’s commitment to healthier, happier and more connected communities. She highlighted the important role leisure centres play as community hubs, supporting children learning to swim, young people staying active, older residents maintaining fitness, disabled people accessing inclusive activities and neighbours meeting each other.

The improvements also support Brent’s ambition to become a Borough of Play, aiming to help more people enjoy physical activity in modern, welcoming spaces. The investment is described as a practical delivery that improves access, supports health and wellbeing, and makes decisions based on long-term evidence and need.

The package is part of a wider leisure strategy. Brent is developing a new Built Facilities Strategy to guide future decisions on sport, leisure and physical activity facilities, supporting an Active Wellbeing approach focused on prevention and inclusion. All works will be carried out while the centres remain open, with disruption kept to a minimum.