Places Leisure has opened Epping Leisure Centre.

Undertaken in partnership with Epping Forest District Council and Pellikaan Construction, this is part of a wider regeneration of the town.

The new centre, which replaces the now closed Epping Sports Centre, has a 120-station gym equipped by Life Fitness, with premium cardio kit, a large weights area, multi-use lifting platforms and racks. It also offers an EGYM Fitness Hub and Tanita body composition scales. 

There are group exercise studios and a cycling studio, a 25 metre main swimming pool, a learner pool, a four court sports hall and two squash courts featuring interactive squash. 

Dan Walker, business development director at Places Leisure, said: “We're delighted to have designed and built the new leisure facility with our valued partners, at this exciting milestone we look forward to welcoming local residents in a truly inclusive way, supporting local people of all ages and abilities to lead a healthier, happier, and more active lifestyle. 

“Our commitment is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and supported – whether you’re taking your first steps into fitness, looking to develop your skills, or aiming to maintain a lifelong active lifestyle. With its sustainable design and wide-ranging facilities, this centre will be a vibrant hub for wellbeing, social connections, and enjoyment across the whole community.”

A key milestone in Epping Forest District Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutral status by 2030, the centre has been designed to be energy efficient and features air-sourced heat pumps, advanced digital technologies and the highest levels of insulation.

A range of membership options are available. Premium includes gym, swim and classes from £60 a month. A concessionary rate for the same membership is £51 a month. Swim memberships start at £32 a month. Pay as you go classes cost £10 and £5.50 for seniors. There are supervised sessions in the gym each day for 11 to 15-year-olds.

Councillor Ray Balcombe, says this is an exciting milestone in Epping’s redevelopment: “This state-of-the-art, energy efficient centre represents a significant investment in our community’s health and wellbeing and the district’s future. I’m particularly excited for Epping’s first municipal swimming pool to open.”

The regeneration also involves the development of more than 250 new homes, a new primary school, a large area of public parkland and a three-screen cinema with a bar. Better pedestrian and cycling connections will be made throughout the town.