Leys Pools and Leisure Centre in Blackbird Leys celebrates a decade of welcoming visitors and enhancing community health and wellbeing
Blackbird Leys: Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Leys Pools and Leisure Centre opened? Since 2015, over 2.5 million people have walked through its doors. That’s a lot of happy faces!
This place has everything you could want: an eight-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, a gym that just got a facelift, a sports hall, and even a 3G pitch. Plus, there are studios for all sorts of classes and events.
In 2024, around 2,500 folks visited each week. One of the groups that really loves it is the Oxford Swans, a swimming club for people with special needs. They’ve been part of the centre since the beginning.
Ann Gresswell, who runs the club, shared how much they appreciate the support from the staff and the council. She mentioned how swimming is great for both physical and mental health, and it gives their members a sense of freedom.
Last year, the centre got a major upgrade with new energy-saving showers and even the UK’s first AI-powered gym equipment. How cool is that?
And there’s more! A youth hub is set to open this year, featuring a climbing wall, a music studio, a teaching kitchen, and meeting spaces. It’s a joint effort between the city and county councils, backed by a £1.1 million grant.
Councillor Chewe Munkonge praised the centre for being a vital part of the community, helping people of all ages stay active and connected. He’s excited about what the future holds.
Brian Taylor from More Leisure Community Trust also expressed his joy over the growing number of visitors since they took over in spring 2024. To celebrate this milestone, they’re giving away 10 goody bags to the first 10 new members who sign up on January 24.
Here’s to another decade of helping the community lead healthier, happier lives!
