Crystal Palace National Sports Centre — Attraction in London

The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, situated in the heart of Crystal Palace Park in South London, is a historic and multifaceted sports facility that has served the community since its opening in 1964. The Centre is renowned for its comprehensive range of amenities, catering to a wide array of sports and fitness activities. The architecture of the complex itself is impressive, with its iconic structure standing as a testament to mid-20th-century design. The facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a diving pool, indoor and outdoor athletics tracks, a football stadium, and extensive gym and fitness areas. For swimming enthusiasts, the Olympic pool is a major highlight, offering ample lanes for both casual and competitive swimming. The diving pool, with platforms of varying heights, supports diving practices and competitions, appealing to both amateur divers and seasoned athletes. Track and field athletes benefit from the state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor tracks, which are well-maintained and suitable for both training and competitions. The outdoor track, set against the backdrop of the picturesque Crystal Palace Park, offers an inspiring environment for athletes. The gym and fitness facilities are extensive, featuring modern equipment that accommodates a range of fitness regimes. From weight training to cardio exercises, the Centre provides resources for both beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts. Additionally, the availability of classes such as yoga, pilates, and high-intensity interval training ensures that users can find activities that suit their preferences and fitness goals. The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre also hosts various sporting events throughout the year, from local competitions to international meets, making it a vibrant hub for sports...

On paper this sports center sounds great! But in reality it is terrible being a member!

From the outside, the center looks dilapidated and from the moment you walk in, everything about being a member is much more complicated than it needs to be! The fast track machines are more often than not, out of service which forces you to queue with all the competitive parents and their future sporting star children - who the gym mostly appeals to! You then have to wait for the staff who have that 'couldn't care less' look stamped across their faces to swipe you in and give you a wristband.

As for the facilities, yes the center offers many sports - most of which you have to pay extra for or be a member of to participate. The gym uses dated equipment and the weights area is too small meaning you have to share the space with people on their phones constantly hogging the squat rack.

I used to play squash a lot with my wife but I have decided to boycott this as I was charged a pathetic penalty fee for not cancelling within 24 hours of the booking - Yes Crystal Palace sports center, other people have emergencies at work which are more important than your unbooked court!

The sports center treats members like guests, not valued customers, unless you are a child participating in a tournament that puts the gym on the map. Surely the needs of the working professionals who pay hefty monthly fees should come first?

I've tried twice to cancel my subscription via their 'contact us' service where they get back to you within 3 working days - I've heard nothing back... I...

I first took out membership at Crystal Palace NSC in the mid 80s, having been exiled in south London since going up to university in 1978. I'd had county-standard athlete school friends who attended the NSC on residential courses over the summer holidays but I didn't really appreciate the centre, or the building, until taking early retirement in 2015 when I recommenced playing squash after a few years out from the sport. I belive there were five squash courts when I first joined, one well away from the four adjascent to the swimming pool, and membership was heavily subsidised. Now run by Better, who are contracted to run a number of former council-run leisure facilities, there are only three squash courts, one having been turned into an indoor climbing wall. Membership is still relatively cheap compared to some gyms, and I only need two games of squash each week to get my money's worth out of (racquet sports) membership. The building, designed by Sir Leslie Martin and opened in 1964, now grade II* listed, is a worthy replacement for the Paxton-designed Crystal Palace, dubbed 'the people's palace'. The brutalist architecture symbolises an egalitarian approach to sport, shifting accessibilty from an elite to anyone and everyone. The centre may have seen better days, with parts of the interior showing thier age, but it serves a crucial local requirement. The one drawback is the lack of sufficient parking now it's increasing in popularity; commuters from Crystal Palace station appear to use the car park and Bromley council close off the top level...