The centre will replace Willesden Sports Centre, which was built in the 1960s and closed last year. Retaining the original name, the new Willesden Sports Centre, will boast a gym, exercise studios, a 25m six-lane pool with spectator facilities, a teaching pool, a four-court sports hall, an indoor 60 meter athletics ‘running tube’ and a floodlit, outdoor 400m running track. Other facilities include a martial arts dojo, sauna and steamroom.

Landscaped enhancements will be made to King Edward VII Park, with the addition of a new play area and new changing rooms will be installed to serve King Edward VII Park pitches.

Leisure Connection is working with specialist PFI developer, Linteum Ltd, in partnership with the London Borough of Brent on the project. The contract between the PFI facility provider, Linteum Willesden Limited, and will span 25 years from service commencement and has a total value in excess of £50m. Private sector funding for the project is being provided by Leisure Connection Limited and Linteum Limited, and senior debt by Barclays Bank plc.

Construction of the Willesden Sports Centre gets underway this month (March) with completion due at the end of 2006. The centre will be leased to Willesden Community Sports Ltd, a non-profit making Industrial and Provident Society, which will play an important role in the project. Leisure Connection will operate the leisure facility under a 25-year contract.

“Partnerships such as this one enables Brent Council and other councils the opportunity to surpass the needs of their local community and showcase effective PFI projects,” says chief executive of Leisure Connection, Graham Farrant. “It enables partners and their communities to effectively enjoy the benefits associated with investing in leisure and finally, by employing a leisure operator will enable partners to focus their attention and resource elsewhere and enjoy the synergy effect.”