William Penn Leisure Centre shortlisted for national award

The centre, run by leading operator Everyone Active in partnership with Three Rivers District Council, has been shortlisted in the ‘Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year – London category and will also be considered for ‘Outstanding Club/Centre of the Year’, a national award.

William Penn Leisure Centre in Rickmansworth includes a recently refurbished gym, as well as a swimming pool where award-winning swimming lessons and a range of other aquatic activities are held.

The centre also features two group fitness studios and a dedicated group cycling studio, hosting a variety of group fitness and cycling classes suitable for all ages and abilities. Its sports hall offers badminton sessions among other activities, while an outdoor floodlit all-weather football pitch is also available for use.

Everyone Active has managed the centre since 2018 and runs more than 90 group exercise classes a week, alongside sessions such as Good Boost rehabilitation, dementia-friendly coffee mornings, Walking Netball and Parkinson's Table Tennis.

The centre also has a Changing Places facility and Pool Pods in both swimming pools to support disabled users.

William Penn Leisure Centre has also generated more than £2 million in social value during 2024/25 - a measure of the wider benefit the centre brings to the community, including improvements to health, wellbeing and reduced pressure on public services.

Seven staff have progressed through apprenticeships into management roles, including Ellie-Ann Booth, who moved from swim teacher to contract swim manager, now overseeing more than 2,400 weekly swim lesson participants across two sites.

The ukactive Awards celebrate the best of the physical activity sector and are designed to recognise excellence and innovation across health, wellbeing and fitness. A not-for-profit body, ukactive comprises members and partners from across the active lifestyle sector.

Finalists will now go through to the next stage of the judging process where they will undergo further assessments including a mystery shop and digital review.

The regional winners and national champion will be announced at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday, October 8.

John Sewell, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “It’s a huge honour to be shortlisted for the ukactive Awards and this reflects the hard work and dedication the site team has put in over the past year. Led by the general manager, Billy Johnston, they have done a fantastic job.

“To be selected as a finalist is an achievement in itself and we’d like to thank all our members for their ongoing support. We look forward to October’s awards ceremony and in the meantime will continue to focus on getting the local community active.”

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, the council leader, said: “The William Penn Leisure Centre is a great asset to this council and our residents and I am immensely proud to see it shortlisted for this award. Staying active and being healthy, whatever your age, is central to my outlook on life and this leisure centre helps people do those things. I congratulate all involved in getting this far in the awards and good luck for the final judging!”