A community open day is coming to the London Aquatics Centre this May, with Team GB sprinter and television personality Harry Aikines-Aryeetey appearing as special guest.
Taking place on Sunday May 17 from 10am, the event will give local residents the chance to explore the iconic venue and take part in a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities, with all activities priced at just £2 to raise money for Everyone Active’s corporate charities, The Ben Kinsella Trust and Breast Cancer Now.
Harry will be attending meet and greet sessions with visitors, with booking strongly encouraged due to expected demand. He will also be getting involved in activities throughout the day, including a high-energy Zumba session, drawing on his experience on the dancefloor and his well-known passion for fitness and movement.
As well as being a popular face on BBC TV, Harry is also an Elite Athlete on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme, which helps guide aspiring athletes in the community.
The open day on May 17 aims to bring the community together while showcasing everything the London Aquatics Centre has to offer, from its world-class swimming facilities to its diverse health and fitness programme.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a packed programme of activities across the day, including swimming sessions in the centre’s pools, with both lane swimming and fun sessions featuring the popular giant inflatable Atlantis.
There will also be opportunities to try the gym facilities, take part in fitness challenges, and access personal training taster sessions, alongside a variety of group exercise classes designed to suit all fitness levels.
Located at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the London Aquatics Centre first opened to the public in 2014, two years after hosting events during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The venue has been operated by Everyone Active in partnership with London Legacy Development Corporation since April 2024.
Chris Wells, Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to the London Aquatics Centre for what promises to be a fantastic day for the local community, while also supporting two incredibly important charities.
“His energy and enthusiasm for fitness – and his moves on the dancefloor – will help create a real buzz on the day, and we’re excited for visitors to meet him and get involved in the activities on offer.
“With so much happening across the day, including swimming, fitness challenges and classes, there really is something for everyone. We’d encourage people to book in advance, particularly for the sessions with Harry, to avoid missing out.”
Mark Camley, Executive Director of Estate and Neighbourhoods at LLDC said: “The community open day at London Aquatics Centre is a great opportunity for east Londoners to explore the breadth of activities available right here at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Activities like swimming play an important role in supporting health and wellbeing and this initiative will enable people to stay active in a fun way while connecting with other members of the community.”
Bookings for the event are live now at: www.everyoneactive.com/news/join-us-for-the-london-aquatics-centre-community-open-day/
