More than ten years on since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has appointed Everyone Active, the longest-established leisure contractor in the UK, as the new operator for the London Aquatics Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The 8 year contract (with the option to extend) will cover the operation of the award-winning Dame Zaha Hadid’s designed building. The world-class facilities include two 50-metre pools, a dive pool with distinctive diving platforms, as well as a 100-station gym, café and ancillary facilities.

The London Aquatics Centre hosts local, London-wide and national galas and since London 2012 has been host to major championships including the European Aquatics Championships (2016), the World Para Swimming Championships (2019) and multi-year dates for the FINA Diving World Series. The London Aquatics Centre attracts more than one million visits a year for community use and learn to swim programmes as well as club and elite performance training.

Edward Fane, Head of Venues at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, said: “The Zaha Hadid designed London Aquatics Centre is one of the world’s best aquatics venues where elite athletes train alongside community users and talent pathways that can link the two, with thousands coming to learn, swim and dive here each week.

“This prestigious and high value contract is critically important to the long-term legacy of the Games of London 2012 and we thank GLL for their great service since operating the venue since 2014. We look forward to working in partnership with Everyone Active for the next eight years, to deliver continuous improvement and build on the remarkable aquatics legacy to date, whilst driving best value for the taxpayer and local communities.”

Everyone Active’s Regional Director, Duncan Jefford, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded the contract to operate the world-class London Aquatics Centre, renowned for hosting major sporting events including the Olympics and Paralympics. The facility champions elite sport alongside swimming, diving and sports activities for the local community.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Everyone Active, and this new partnership with London Legacy Development Corporation marks a monumental step for our business at an iconic sports venue. We look forward to continuing the legacy of this state-of-the-art facility and inspiring the next generation of sportspeople.

“As a company that started out 36 years ago running a single site, it is fantastic to continue our growth across the country, now reaching more than 230 leisure and cultural facilities.

“We remain unwavering in our commitment to providing leisure services and facilities tailored to the unique needs of local communities. We take huge pride in offering opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and interests to engage in physical activity."

Everyone Active is the longest-established leisure contractor in the UK, having been founded in 1987. Today, Everyone Active manages in excess of 230 leisure facilities and cultural services in partnership with more than 60 local authorities.

Everyone Active aims to get communities active, engaged and entertained through a wide range of activities and services that include, sports, coaching, culture, events and health services.

They currently manage a vast range of indoor and outdoor facilities including theatres, swimming pools, spas, sports halls, squash courts, studios, fitness suites, climbing walls, cafes, golf courses, athletics stadia and sports pitches.

The LLDC was seeking to award a new operating contract for this world-class facility for first time since the original tender in 2011. Feedback from suppliers through a Market Sounding Questionnaire in the summer of 2021 has helped to shape the format and content of the new contract. GLL continue to operate the venue before handing over to Everyone Active on 1 March 2024.

The memberships of all current direct debit customers will automatically transfer to Everyone Active on March 1, 2024, and these customers will receive full details on this process from Everyone Active in due course. To ensure a smooth transition process, Everyone Active will not change the current programme initially and all clubs and user groups will be consulted on an individual basis

The award is being made in another year of evolution for the Park, with the opening of the new East Bank cultural development adjoining the Centre, starting in 2023, and more and more people choosing to work, live and study on the Park.