Several years of hard work and dedicated campaigning by local stakeholders has finally come to fruition and Forest Hill Pools has now reopened. 

After a series of public consultations, construction commenced in February 2011 and the costs for redeveloping the site amount to £8.9m.

 Facilities now include a 25m length swimming pool, 16.7m length learner pool, state-of-the-art fitness suite, two studios and a café area, community room for hire and a spectator viewing and exhibition area.

 This new facility, which is fully accessible, includes parking for people with disabilities, and the architects, Roberts Limbrick, have worked to make the pools as eco-friendly and energy-efficient as possible.

 The Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, marked the occasion by taking a plunge in the new pool.   He said:  "This is a very exciting day for Lewisham.  I am thrilled to be here today in Forest Hill at yet another fantastic new facility for the borough.  It's a real tribute to the hard work and energy of everybody involved."

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Chris Best, "The significance of the occasion comes from the aspirations of the many local people who have worked so hard to see this building saved and now re-developed.

"I am absolutely delighted to see the wonderful job that has been done redeveloping the pools to modern standards, while retaining features like the historic Victorian frontage.

"This is a striking development but perhaps its most important dimension is that it's the result of joint working between local stakeholders and the Council to achieve a shared goal. Willmott- Dixon has carried out a magnificent job in delivering this project on schedule and providing a sustainable future for such a well-loved local building that will benefit the community for many years to come."

Jason Wellard, operations director at Willmott Dixon, said: "We are extremely pleased to have delivered this outstanding swimming pool and leisure facility to Lewisham Borough Council. Forest Hill Pools was first built in 1884 on this site and through our regular dialogue with community stakeholders it became clear just how important this superb facility will be for local people for many years to come. My team are proud to be part of creating this."

 Fusion Lifestyle, who currently run a number of Lewisham sports and leisure facilities will take over day-to–date running of the new centre. Chief Executive Peter Kay said: "We are honoured and excited to be part of the reopening of Forest Hill Pools and the team at Fusion is looking forward to re-establishing the centre as the iconic leisure facility in the community. We recognise our responsibility to look after this treasured local asset and we look forward to working with the community to ensure that the pools have a long, successful and sustainable future."