Spelthorne's Eclipse Leisure Centre named Sport and Leisure Facility of the Year

The award recognises the Council's ambitious vision and delivery of one of the world's most energy-efficient and sustainable leisure centres, built to strict Passivhaus standards.  

Opened in October 2024, Eclipse was developed to replace an ageing leisure centre, with extensive community consultation and a focus on future-proofing local health and wellbeing needs.

The centre features state-of-the-art facilities including swimming pools, a large gym, sports halls, squash courts, rooftop 3G pitches, and more. Designed for both high performance and minimal environmental impact, Eclipse reduces energy use by up to 70% and incorporates innovative technologies like heat recovery and water-saving microfiltration systems.

Beyond its cutting-edge design, Eclipse serves as a national example, helping other councils explore similar sustainable leisure projects. Its lower running costs prove that green building can also make strong financial sense.

Cllr Susan Doran, Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council's Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, said:

"We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition for the Eclipse Leisure Centre. This award is a testament to our commitment to sustainability, innovation and the wellbeing of our residents. Eclipse is more than just a building; it's a community asset designed to serve future generations while setting new standards for energy efficiency in the leisure industry. We hope it inspires other councils to be equally bold in their ambitions."

The Eclipse has also been nominated for Major Project of the Year and Building of the Year in the National Sustainability Awards. The winners will be announced on 1 October 2025.

To find out more about the Eclipse Leisure Centre, visit Eclipse Leisure Centre or www.placesleisure.org/centres/eclipse-leisure-centre/