Clissold Leisure Centre to reopen

The Clissold Leisure Centre in Hackney, London, is to reopen next month after nearly four years of remedial work.It was closed in November 2003 for a number of reasons, including a leaking roof, inadequate ventilation, cracking in squash-court walls and water damage to the sports hall floor.

However, following a public consultation, the serious faults have been rectified, and new features added, such as a brand new toddler pool, as well as improved disability access, reception area and crèche.

If the fit out period goes smoothly, the centre should be open by the end of the year. Local people have waited a long time for the centre to reopen and I welcome this move into the final phase of the project.