A Commonwealth gold medallist opened a new leisure centre in Goodmayes.

Swimmer James Wilby joined council leader Cllr Jas Athwal and Redbridge mayor Cllr Debbie Kaur-Thiara to cut the ribbon yesterday at Mayfield Leisure Centre next to Mayfield School.

The champion breaststroker brought along his two world championship medals, those he said “mean the most” to him, and dived into the pool to show off his skills.

The new complex in Kinsfaun Road features a gym, a six-lane swimming pool and studio and cost Redbridge Council just £5.25 million to build.

Cllr Athwal himself attended Mayfield school in 1974 and was beaming at yesterday’s opening event.

He said: “When you have a dream and you follow through, look what can be achieved.

“They said it couldn’t be done and we made it happen. If it was not for everyone chipping in and believing, this would not have happened.

“This is the sort of legacy that one comes into politics for, to give back to residents. It’s a dream that’s come true.”

The leisure centre has been planned since 2012, and received £750,000 in funding support from Sport England.

Cllr Kam Rai, cabinet member for finance, explained that reducing the depth of the pool to 0.5m in the shallow end and 1.4m in the deep end has cut the pool heating costs by up to two thirds.

He added that the site and money generated through use of the facilities would be fed directly back into the centre to keep it running, meaning it will not be a financial burden on the council.

A new pool is planned in Wanstead at Wanstead School in the coming years as part of a community hub where multiple services will be provided on one site.

Another is planned for the centre of Ilford. Cllr Athwal said he had a few potential sites in mind for the complex, but suggested the Kenneth Moore theatre site would be a good one.

The council leader intimated he would like to see a site that could feature a 500-seat theatre and a pool all under one roof.

School pupils from across the borough will be able to use the Goodmayes leisure centre soon, with students from Mayfield School planning to use the pool from January 2019.

The schools will get 15 hours a week full pool time whilst the rest will be shared with the public.

The centre had its final inspection yesterday and was officially opened by James Wilby, Cllr Athwal, Redbridge’s Mayor Cllr Debbie Kaur Thiara and Goodmayes’ ward councillors, including Cllr Rai.

An adult swim for a member of the public costs £3.10 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and £4.40 outside those times.

Membership for the centre, including access to all on site facilities as well as facilities at Fullwell and Wanstead costs just over £40 per month.