Ealing Council has strongly condemned racist graffiti discovered spray-painted on hoardings at the Gurnell Leisure Centre construction site in Perivale. The offensive markings, which included at least five swastikas on the green boarding, were spotted on Monday. The council has urged anyone with information about the perpetrator to contact the Metropolitan Police.
Council Response
Councillor Lauren Wall, Ealing Council’s Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities, stated: “The council condemns the vile racist graffiti and we are working to get the hoarding cleared immediately. We urge anyone with any knowledge of who committed the crime to contact the police.” She added: “Building a new leisure centre at Gurnell is a priority for the council. We started work on the site in March and are pleased with the progress that has been made. A report on the works that have been carried out to prepare the site for the leisure centre, and a timeline for the rest of the project, will be presented to cabinet in the autumn.”
Political Reaction
Cllr Gary Malcolm, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, commented: “Liberal Democrats for many years have said that people want to see a leisure centre built and it is very upsetting for many that so much time has been wasted and the land has been left to rack and ruin. Labour should hang their heads in shame and get on with providing a leisure centre that people can use.”
Project Details
Demolition of the former Gurnell Leisure Centre began in March 2025 and was completed in June 2025. The new facility is scheduled to open towards the end of 2027. The council is also in the process of tendering for a developer partner to bring forward the residential site at Gurnell. Approximately 300 new homes have outline planning permission for the site, with around a third designated as affordable housing.
The new complex will feature a 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool, fitness studios, a climbing wall, and a water park with slides and a lazy river. It is designed to be one of the UK’s first all-electric leisure centres, using 81 per cent less energy than its predecessor. The £125 million project is due for completion by the end of 2027.
