Morgan Sindall has been appointed to lead a major refurbishment of one of London’s historic leisure centres, in a project that aims to modernise community facilities while preserving the building’s architectural character. The scheme, reported by Construction Management Magazine, will see the contractor upgrade ageing infrastructure, improve energy performance and enhance accessibility, as local authorities look to future-proof civic assets without erasing their heritage. The appointment underscores the construction sector’s growing focus on sensitive retrofit and the complex balance between conservation and contemporary standards in public buildings.
Preserving heritage while modernising facilities at the London leisure centre
Working within a protected civic landmark, Morgan Sindall’s team is balancing conservation principles with contemporary performance standards. Original brickwork,stone detailing and cast-iron features are being carefully surveyed and,where possible,repaired in situ rather than replaced,maintaining the building’s distinctive Edwardian character.Specialist heritage consultants are advising on everything from lime mortar mixes to paint colours, ensuring that any new intervention reads as sympathetic and reversible. Behind the scenes, however, fabric upgrades – from discreetly installed insulation to improved glazing profiles – are being introduced to enhance comfort and energy performance without compromising historic sightlines.
The contractor is also rethinking how the building serves today’s diverse community of users. Layouts are being subtly reconfigured to improve accessibility and wayfinding,while original volume and daylight are maximised to retain the centre’s generous,civic feel. Key priorities include:
- Inclusive access through step-free routes, modern lifts and accessible changing
- Low-carbon operation via upgraded M&E systems and smart controls
- Enhanced user experience with refreshed pool halls, studios and social spaces
- Community heritage value supported by interpretation panels and retained artefacts
| Element | Heritage Approach | Modern Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Main pool hall | Restore roof trusses, tiled friezes | LED lighting, acoustic treatment |
| Façade | Retain masonry and stone cornices | Thermally improved openings |
| Plant rooms | Re-use existing structural bays | High-efficiency boilers and filtration |
| Public areas | Preserve original joinery details | Digital signage and access control |
Sustainable construction methods and materials behind the refurbishment
In reimagining the leisure centre for a low-carbon future, Morgan Sindall is combining traditional craftsmanship with modern environmental performance. The contractor is prioritising a fabric-first approach, targeting deep reductions in operational energy through high-spec insulation, secondary glazing to protect heritage facades, and intelligent ventilation systems that reduce heat loss while improving indoor air quality. Where original features such as brick vaults and timber trusses are retained, they are carefully upgraded rather than replaced, slashing embodied carbon and avoiding needless demolition.This is supported by on-site digital monitoring tools that track energy and water use in real time, allowing the team to benchmark performance from day one of operation.
- Low-carbon concrete mixes with high GGBS content for new structural elements
- Reclaimed brick and stone to match historic fabric and cut waste
- FSC-certified timber for internal joinery and roof repairs
- Recycled steel in secondary framing and reinforcement
- Non-toxic finishes and low-VOC paints for healthier interiors
| Measure | Benefit |
|---|---|
| High-efficiency plant | Lower utility bills and emissions |
| Rainwater harvesting | Reduced potable water demand |
| On-site segregation | Higher construction waste recycling rates |
| Local supply chain | Fewer transport miles and stronger community links |
Managing community expectations during phased leisure centre upgrades
Local users are being asked to navigate temporary closures, diversions and noise as Morgan Sindall sequences works around peak demand. To reduce friction, the project team is publishing a rolling six‑week lookahead, using on-site digital noticeboards and push notifications via the council’s leisure app.Clear messaging explains not only what is changing, but why – for example, short-term pool lane reductions in exchange for new plant that will cut energy use and improve water quality. The council is also convening regular user forums, giving swimming clubs, accessibility groups and nearby residents a chance to question program changes and feed into mitigation measures.
- Transparent timelines with visual phasing plans posted in reception and online.
- Choice options signposted, including partner gyms and pools during shutdowns.
- Noise and dust windows communicated in advance, with quiet hours around lessons.
- Feedback loops via QR-code surveys and drop-in sessions with the site team.
| Phase | Main Impact | Key Message |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Entrance & Lobby | Rerouted access | “Same opening hours,new temporary route.” |
| 2 – Pool Hall | Fewer public sessions | “Short-term loss, long-term better water & lighting.” |
| 3 – Fitness Suite | Reduced equipment | “Rotating kit, extended off‑peak times.” |
Lessons for local authorities procuring complex heritage refurbishment projects
For councils, the South Norwood project underscores the importance of early, forensic understanding of existing fabric before tenders are even issued. Commissioning detailed condition surveys, opening-up works and digital scans can considerably de-risk procurement, allowing bidders to price against known constraints rather than provisional sums and caveats. This, in turn, supports more robust evaluation of value-for-money and social value commitments. Local authorities are also finding that collaborative procurement routes, such as frameworks and two-stage design-and-build, provide enough flexibility to respond to discoveries on site without constantly renegotiating scope.
- Front-load investigations to clarify structural and heritage constraints.
- Use framework partners with a track record in listed and community assets.
- Align programme and funding milestones with statutory consultation windows.
- Embed community engagement into the contractor’s brief and KPIs.
- Specify whole-life performance targets, not just capital cost.
| Priority | Client Focus | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage integrity | Conservation-led design reviews | Fewer planning delays |
| Cost certainty | Transparent risk registers | Controlled variations |
| Community use | Co-designed leisure offer | Higher post-opening uptake |
Future Outlook
As work gets underway, the project will serve as a test of how London can sensitively modernise ageing civic assets without sacrificing their historic and social value. If Morgan Sindall and its partners deliver on the brief,the refurbished leisure centre could become a blueprint for similar upgrades across the capital – demonstrating that with careful planning,collaboration and technical rigour,even the most time-worn community buildings can be made fit for the future.
