Tomorrow, Friday 24 January 2025, Leys Pools and Leisure Centre celebrates a decade of providing sports, fitness and wellbeing opportunities in Blackbird Leys.
Since opening in 2015, the centre has welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors.
Located in the heart of Blackbird Leys, the centre is run by leisure operator More Leisure Community Trust on behalf of Oxford City Council.
The centre features a competition-level, eight-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, a newly refurbished air-conditioned gym, a large sports hall, 3G floodlit sports pitch and two multi-purpose studios for a wide range of classes, activities and events for all ages and abilities.
It recently saw one of its first customers return as a lifeguard, a decade on.
A sustainable hub for the community
In 2024, an average of 2,500 people a week visited the centre. This includes a number of groups including Oxford Swans, a volunteer-run swimming club for people with special needs.
“We’ve been fortunate to have been involved with the Leys Pools from the start. Our members really enjoy their pool sessions on Tuesday evenings and we are grateful to Leys Pool staff and Oxford City Council for their many years of support. Being in water is so beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing, and our members enjoy the freedom water allows them. We are looking forward to working with the Leys Leisure Centre in the coming years as they provide much needed leisure activities for those in the area.”
Ann Gresswell, Chief Instructor, Oxford Swans
The centre is home to one of the UK’s largest public solar carports, along with additional solar panels on its roof. These contribute to the running of the centre, reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
In 2024, the centre underwent significant upgrades under its new operator, More Leisure Community Trust. Improvements included the installation of energy and water saving showers and the UK’s first AI-powered gym equipment.
Looking to the future
This year, a new state-of-the-art youth hub will open on site, offering a climbing wall, and music/media studio, a teaching kitchen, meeting rooms, hub space and more. The site is a collaboration between Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, and funded by a £1.1million grant by the Youth Investment Fund.
Artists' impressions of the new youth hub space, designed by young people, for young people, offer a glimpse of what's to come.
The centre will also see a renovated sports hall with a new soft play area and tag arena. The cafe will also re-open later this year.
Comment
“Leys Pools and Leisure Centre has been a real hub in Blackbird Leys for the past decade, providing vital opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, socialise, and improve their wellbeing. From fantastic swimming facilities and UK-first AI technology in its gyms, to innovative sustainability initiatives and exciting new developments like the youth hub, the centre continues to evolve to meet the needs of the vibrant community around it.
We’re so proud of what’s been achieved over the last 10 years, and looking forward to an even brighter future.”
Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for A Healthy Oxford
“We’ve been delighted at the growth in customer numbers since we began running this excellent facility back in spring 2024. To celebrate this big birthday, we're giving away 10 goody bags to the first 10 new customers who sign up for memberships on the 24th January. Here’s to the next 10 years supporting the people of this community to lead more active, healthier and happier lives.”
Brian Taylor, chair of the More Leisure Community Trust, which began management of the centre last year
Rate this page
