Kingston Council is set to award a major leisure contract worth up to £120 million, aiming to enhance sports, physical activity, and recreation opportunities for residents. The decision was scheduled for discussion at the Place Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

The new Leisure Management Operator Services Contract, commencing on October 1, 2025, will initially cover Chessington Sports Centre and Albany Outdoors centres. By March 31, 2026, Malden Centre, Tolworth Recreation Centre, and Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness Centre will be integrated, followed by the new Kingston Leisure Centre upon its completion in Spring 2027.

The council aims to ensure its leisure provision is inclusive, easily accessible and integrated, enabling residents to engage in sport, physical activity and recreation at its leisure facilities. The service specification issued to bidders set out a number of core requirements for the delivery of a leisure service that would meet the council's strategic objectives and deliver local outcomes, including:

  • Aligning services with the borough's strategic goals, including improving mental health and well-being, tackling health inequalities, promoting physical activity and contributing to environmental sustainability.
  • An Active Communities Programme to increase participation in sports and physical activity, especially among under-represented groups.
  • Providing a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic programme of activities catering to all community segments.
  • A shared approach to asset maintenance, repair, and lifecycle replacement.
  • Supporting the council's Climate Action Plan through responsible environmental and energy management.
  • A fair and accessible pricing scheme, with concessionary options offered to residents who meet the criteria.

The committee was asked to resolve that, following a competitive dialogue process, the contract for the provision of the Leisure Management Operator Contract be awarded to the party named in the EXEMPT Annex 1 of the report for an initial period of 10 years from 1 October 2025, with the option to extend up to a further maximum period of 5 years, with a maximum contract value of £120m.

In addition to the leisure contract, the Place Committee was scheduled to discuss several other key initiatives, including a proposed footbridge over the River Thames, habitat banks, energy conservation measures for council buildings, and the redevelopment of the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station. The Place Committee meeting also addressed a motion regarding a third runway at Heathrow Airport, highlighting the council's continued opposition to the expansion.