Brixton Rec to get new tenpin bowling and VR facilities as part of £1.1 Million leisure investment

Lambeth Council has announced a major investment into leisure facilities across the borough, with £1.1 million set to be spent improving venues, including the introduction of tenpin bowling and virtual reality experiences at Brixton Rec.

The move forms part of a wider strategy aimed at boosting income and ensuring cost savings after Lambeth brought the borough’s leisure services back under its control in April 2023 under the banner of Active Lambeth.

The improvements to Brixton Rec lead the project, with the introduction of bowling lanes and immersive VR facilities.

Lambeth Council believes these additions will attract more visitors, helping to generate the income needed to secure the future of the borough’s leisure services.

Lambeth Council has set a target to save £1.95 million over the next two years following the decision to bring leisure services in-house.

The savings target is outlined in a report titled Capital Investment in Leisure Centres, authored by the Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Councillor Donatus Anyanwu.

The Council claims that investing in new facilities like those at Brixton Rec is a crucial step toward meeting this financial goal.

The £1.1 million investment in leisure facilities is part of an existing £10 million budget that had already been approved by the Cabinet.

According to the report, since Active Lambeth took over the leisure contract, several new income streams have been successfully developed, including cafés and soft play areas, karaoke booths and enhanced 3G facilities.

These improvements, Lambeth claims, have already demonstrated the potential to increase revenue, and the Council is now focusing on further investments in leisure to ensure the £1.95 million in savings is achieved.

The £1.1 million will be distributed across various leisure facilities in Lambeth, with a detailed breakdown as follows:

Brixton Recreation Centre

£330,000 will be spent on installing tenpin bowling lanes.

£60,000 is allocated for the introduction of VR multi-sports rooms.

£30,000 will be used to improve the reception area, including the addition of a new café.

£50,000 is earmarked for refurbishing the existing pool lounge area.

£35,000 will go towards renovating the sports hall flooring.

Ferndale Community Sports Centre

£250,000 will be spent on a new mini golf facility.

An additional £30,000 will be used to replace the current air conditioning units with new models.

Streatham Leisure Centre

£30,000 will go towards expanding the Ice Café to maximise commercial opportunities on event days.

Another £30,000 will be spent on expanding the soft play facility.

£100,000 will be invested in introducing a new sauna and spa treatment room.

West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre

£30,000 will be allocated to create a new café.

Padle Tennis Facility

£85,000 will be invested in introducing a new paddle tennis facility, though the report does not specify the exact location within the borough.