The long-awaited Elephant and Castle leisure centre will open to the public on Saturday, April 30, Southwark Council has announced.
Among its features are a 25 metre six-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, sauna and steam rooms, a sports hall, fully-equipped gym, two exercise studios and a crèche and café. There is also disabled access and specialist equipment throughout.
The £20m Castle Centre will open its doors at 7am with an official open day weekend scheduled for May 21 and 22.
It was originally due to open in the summer of 2014, after construction began in February 2013.
The project was first delayed after an excavation of the site where the old leisure centre once stood found a mass grave of 500 medieval skeletons in October 2012.
In January this year, councillor Barrie Hargrove, Southwark Council’s cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure, said the delay was due to shortages of skilled workers from high demand for development projects across London. Cllr Hargrove recently said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been working so hard to get the Castle Centre open, despite its building stage delays.
“I have seen a fantastic turn-around over the last few weeks as we get the centre ready for the public and I’m looking forward to finally getting the doors open on April 30, so everyone can try out the facilities for themselves.”