Mayor of London Saqid Khan has showcased new images of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre ahead of its ‘once-in-a-generation redevelopment’.
The refurbishments, which are estimated to cost £130million, will include a complete rebuild of the swimming pools’ structure and improved sporting facilities.
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Construction firm Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to oversee the nine-figure build.
However, it promises to be a complex renovation.
That’s because the building that houses the swimming pools and indoor facilities has a protected grade II listed structure which must be redeveloped in adherence to heritage guidelines.
Plans for the site to be developed were first revealed in the summer of 2023 and it is expected the renovations will be completed in 2028.
“Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is an historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but which needs major investment and refurbishment,” Khan said.
“I am committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come.
“With short-term improvements already delivered and Morgan Sindall Construction now appointed to deliver the design and build of the centre, we look forward to working closely with partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue as we work together to build a better, healthy London for all.”
Opened in 1964, the centre played a major role in British sporting history in the preceding decades.
The site hosted 20 men’s FA Cup finals between 1895 and 1914.
It also hosted the first women’s FA Cup final in 1971 when Southampton beat Stewarton Thistle 4-1.
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Other events to have been held at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre include swimming meets and even Grand Prix motor-racing.
Athletics superstars including Usain Bolt and Lord Sebastian Coe were just two of the many big names to have competed on the track at the venue.
Bolt competed in Crystal Palace as recently as 2009 as he strode to victory in the men’s 100m final at the London Grand Prix.
However, the 19,000-capacity stadium stopped hosting the London Grand Prix after 2012.
As for Coe, he blitzed the 800m at the Coca-Cola Games in 1977 with a sizzling time of 1:44:95.
Coe’s run secured him his first UK outdoor record in the process.
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Despite the galaxy of stars across multiple disciplines who had graced the venue over the years, the site had become a sorry state of affairs over the years.
There was uncleaned bird poo on the indoor track, leaks in the roof and floodlights that had to be closed off on safety grounds.
But thankfully there have already been a number of short-term improvements made to the site in the last 12 months.
Those include much-needed maintenance on the athletics track, installation of temporary floodlighting, a cafe and upgrades to the fitness gym.
