Harrow Leisure Centre first opened its doors in 1975 and quickly became one of the borough’s most familiar landmarks. For anyone growing up in Harrow through the 80s and 90s, it was more than just a place to swim – it was part of growing up in the borough.
Saturday mornings were the highlight. The “fun sessions” meant the giant inflatables came out, turning the pool into an obstacle course where the real challenge was seeing how long you could stay upright before being thrown off. Lifeguards with whistles tried to keep order, but most of the time it was organised chaos.
The slides were legendary. There were three of them, each with its own character: one twisty, one straight, and one that seemed to fire you out with enough speed to loosen your swimming trunks. Health and safety would probably have something to say about them today, but back then they were the stuff of playground chatter.
And then there was the outdoor pool. The water was always freezing, leaves floated across the surface, and more often than not a dead bee or two would be spotted drifting by. None of it mattered. You’d tiptoe in, gasp loudly, and then jump anyway, shivering but secretly loving every second.
The centre has changed with time. In 2008, the gym had a major £250,000 renovation with new equipment and a fresh look. That same year, there were bold plans for a brand new leisure centre with a new skate park, but the scheme was scrapped after the financial crash made it impossible to fund.
In 2025, Harrow Leisure Centre is still going strong. The facilities are much more modern, with two indoor pools including a 33-metre main pool, a climbing wall, soft play, fitness studios, sports halls, sauna, steam room and more. It is a long way from the days of icy outdoor swims and slides that launched you into the water at full speed, but the memories of those times still stick.
For anyone who grew up in Harrow, it is hard not to smile when you think back to the giant inflatables, the whistle-blowing lifeguards, the slides that felt a little bit dangerous, and the outdoor pool that was always just a few degrees above freezing.
Do you have any memories to share of Harrow Leisure Centre back in the day? Let us know in the comments on our socials.
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Seamus Donaghy is a freelance writer with a strong interest in Harrow’s local history. Originally from Sligo in the Republic of Ireland, Seamus moved to Harrow with his family when he was seven years old and grew up in Wealdstone. He has lived in the borough for more than 30 years and writes about the people, places and stories that have shaped Harrow over the years.
