The Everyone Active Acton centre, with £19million investment from Ealing Council, has already attracted over 1,000 people who have signed up, with the 1000th person receiving a year’s free membership.
The complex, for which the main contractors are Willmott Dixon and S & P Architects, will include a leisure centre with a gym, two studios, two swimming pools- one with a moveable floor and a large one with eight lanes, a library, six multi-use community rooms and council offices.
Facilities available in the 100-station gym will be Precor Strength and CV kit, Wattbikes, Total Gym equipment, X Cube, Power Plate machines and Trixter bikes.
Everyone Active is hosting the free open day in the centre in High Street on April 5, with Olympic swimmer and sports presenter Steve Parry and a number of team GB swimmers including Fran Leighton, Adam Scholefield, Katie Dawkins, Vicki Lucas and six-time world champion swimmer Mark Foster.
The athletes will be signing autographs and taking part in a range of activities to encourage people to try something new.
Transformation of the grade two listed building, originally constructed in 1910, began in August 2012 and its façade and the listed chimney outside have been retained.
The library, staff office and IT room are where the old Acton Town Hall used to be, the rest of the building is new, and old features such as panelling and original lights have been kept but refurbished.
Community rooms suitable for arts, dance and performance will be available for groups to hire at reasonable rates, as the idea is that the three storey centre is an investment for the community.
Everyone Active Area Membership Manager, Frankie Armstrong, said: “The facilities at the Acton Centre are very high spec, so we’ve had a lot of interest and support from the community.
“We hope people will take the chance to try some of the amazing new facilities on offer on April 5 and hope many will be encouraged to take up some new active hobbies.”
Leader of the council, Councillor Julian Bell, said: “I am an Acton resident and a sports fan so I have taken a particular interest in this development.
“Ealing Council is investing millions across the borough to provide modern and accessible leisure facilities and the Acton centre is the latest in an impressive line of openings.
“My thanks go out to everyone who is working hard to get the centre ready and I’m confident residents are going to think it was worth the wait.”
Groups can showcase themselves at the open day to give people information about signing up.
Schools are involved in a competition drawing pictures of what their favourite thing about swimming is and the winner will be the first to jump in the pool with Steve Parry.
For those interested in joining, founder memberships are available until April 5 at a reduced rate of £35 per month for life. For more information visit the activity suite.
