When we talk about the future of Brixton, many of you tell us how important the Rec is.

People have told us Brixton Rec is a focal point of the community, as much valued for its social side as for sport.

People enjoy going to the Rec for socialising and often friendships are made with people who wouldn’t encounter each other elsewhere. Users told us that the diversity of people using the Rec and the informal, inclusive atmosphere gave them the feeling of “being part of a community.”

This is why the Rec is so important to the Brixton Central Masterplan. And why we’re working with Sport England to look at population growth in the borough and where there might be additional leisure or cultural facilities to complement what’s already at the Rec.

The state of the Rec

A survey report, just published by Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) shows that while the core structure of the Rec, which opened in 1985, is considered to be in sound condition, the building systems, plant and disabled access are all reaching the end of their serviceable life and will need to be replaced. That means around £9m worth of major work needs to be carried out over the next decade.

As recommended by LSH, Lambeth Council has already committed half a million pounds to upgrade fire, health and safety measures at Brixton Rec, and that work’s underway/due to start soon.

Because the estimated figure of £9m does not provide for any improved disabled access, nor reconfiguration of the building to make better use of space to meet current or future needs, a two-stage capacity and feasibility study to assess options is underway has begun which will form the basis of wider public conversation by the end of the year.

In line with recommendations by LSH, further specialist survey work to inspect the brick cladding is also taking place.

Users views

Lambeth Council, Greenwich Leisure Ltd, who run the centre, and the Brixton Rec User Group carried out a survey to understand what people liked about the Rec and how it might be improved. You can read the Brixton Rec consultation report here.

With more than a thousand people taking part the results were a huge vote of confidence for the Rec, the classes and available activities but, whilst the Rec is much loved, it could do better.

People commented positively about the classes and the teachers, with some customers saying the only reason they used the Rec was because of their teacher. Well over two thirds were satisfied with the level of affordability

There was fierce criticism of the standard of cleanliness and complaints about the general maintenance of the building and equipment. The entrance was described as ‘gloomy’ and ‘intimidating’.

People criticized the length of the queues in the reception area and were unhappy about popular classes being over-subscribed or over-crowded. There were also calls for better disabled access and improvements to the café.

The question of how rooms and studios could be used outside of peak booking times was also raised.

What aspects of the Rec are people most satisfied with?

• Range of classes and activities (71% satisfied)
• Cost of activities, classes and facilities (64% satisfied)
• How helpful staff are (64% satisfied) – NOTE However – in the comments received, we had significant numbers of comments on poor customer service from staff

What equipment and spaces were most satisfied with?

• Swimming pool (74% satisfied)
• Fitness suite (73% satisfied)
• Exercise studios (69% satisfied)
• Sports hall (69% satisfied)

What classes and actions were most satisfied with?

• Exercise classes (92% satisfied)
• Swimming classes (78%)
• Yoga/Pilates (76%)

What aspects of the Rec are people least satisfied with?

• How clean facilities are (41% satisfied)
• Maintenance of building and equipment (42%)
• How queues are managed (45%)

Areas most in need of improvement

• Changing rooms were chosen by 60% of respondents
• Reception – managing queues (44%)
• Swimming pool (31%)
• Fitness suite (25%)
• Access and entrance (25%)
• Exercise studios 1 & 2 (17%)
• Café (16%)

What next?

Let us know what you think by emailing us or commenting on the blog. You can also have your say on the next stage of the Brixton Central Masterplan this Autumn or get in touch with the Brixton Rec User Group.