Key Points
- The brand new Canada Water Leisure Centre has officially opened, replacing the old Seven Islands Leisure Centre which served since 1965.
- The new leisure centre is located just a two-minute walk from the old centre, ensuring no disruption for members.
- Facilities include a spacious gym, 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool, teaching pool with variable floor, studio spaces for holistic exercise, and a multi-use sports hall for various sports.
- Modern, accessible changing rooms available.
- A pre-opening community day took place on August 29 for members and local sports groups.
- An official launch event is scheduled for September 24, 2025.
- The centre is part of a wider regeneration masterplan for Canada Water, developed with British Land, including 3,000 new homes, sustainable workspace for 20,000 workers, and a new town square.
- Councillor Portia Mwangangye called the centre’s opening a “landmark moment for Southwark” emphasising sustained council investment in health and wellbeing.
- The centre is designed to BREEAM ‘excellent’ standards for environmental efficiency.
- The project is part of Southwark Council’s broader leisure and regeneration strategy.
What is the new leisure centre in East London and where is it located?
As reported by Time Out on September 3, 2025, the new Canada Water Leisure Centre has opened in East London to replace the Seven Islands Leisure Centre, which has served the community since 1965. The new facility is just a two-minute walk away from the old centre, ensuring a smooth transition for users without disruption to their daily routines.
What facilities does the Canada Water Leisure Centre offer?
According to Southwark Council’s official announcement dated August 31, 2025, the leisure centre boasts a wide range of premium facilities situated on the ground floor and two basement levels of the Dock Shed commercial development. Key features include:
- A 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool with a movable floor catering to all levels of swimmers.
- A large, modern gym with diverse functional fitness zones.
- Specialist studios designed for holistic exercise, high-energy workouts, and indoor cycling classes such as spin and HIIT.
- A multi-use sports hall supporting basketball, football, badminton, volleyball, cricket, and pickleball.
- Modern, accessible changing rooms aimed at inclusivity.
How is the leisure centre environmentally designed?
Southwark Council highlighted that the centre was constructed to the ‘excellent’ BREEAM efficiency rating standard, which not only reduces carbon emissions but also lowers operational costs. This is part of the council’s commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction across all borough facilities.
How was the transition managed for existing members of Seven Islands Leisure Centre?
Southwark Council ensured that all existing members at Seven Islands were automatically transferred to Canada Water Leisure Centre memberships. The council coordinated a pre-opening community day on August 29, 2025, allowing current users and local sports groups to preview and utilise the new facilities ahead of the official opening.
What are the views of local representatives about this new centre?
Local councillor Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks, and Young People at Southwark Council, described the opening as a “landmark moment for Southwark.” She highlighted that while local councils across London often face tough financial decisions that deprioritise leisure facilities, Southwark is proud to prioritise continuous investment in health and wellbeing. She stated:
“Working in partnership with our development partner, British Land, we have delivered a facility our residents can be proud of, one that caters to people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. There’s a lot in store for Canada Water and we look forward to what’s to come.”.
What broader development is the leisure centre part of?
The leisure centre is a flagship project within the ambitious 53-acre Canada Water masterplan, developed in partnership with British Land. The wider plan includes building 3,000 net-zero carbon homes, creating 2 million square feet of sustainable workspace designed for 20,000 workers, and constructing London’s first new town square and high street in a century. This masterplan aims to transform Canada Water into a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive urban hub for the future.
How does this project fit into Southwark Council’s wider leisure and community strategy?
Southwark Council continues to invest in its leisure infrastructure, demonstrated by recent projects including redevelopment of Burgess Park Sports Centre with the Football Foundation and a £2 million gym refurbishment programme across the borough’s leisure centres. The new Canada Water Leisure Centre complements these improvements and supports the council’s commitment to accessible, sustainable facilities targeting improved community health.
When is the official launch event and what was the initial community reaction?
A formal launch event is scheduled for September 24, 2025, to celebrate the centre with the broader community and partners. The initial pre-opening event held on August 29 received positive feedback from Seven Islands members and local sports groups who appreciated the modern facilities and spacious environment
