Xcel in Walton has won an excellent Quest rating, and Hurst Pool's £1.45m refit is on schedule to finish by the end of January 2027, the council says.

Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex in Walton-on-Thames has been rated “excellent” in Sport England’s Quest quality assessment.

The council announced the result on 30 October. On the same day it said the refurbishment of Hurst Pool in Molesey is on schedule. It now expects the work to be finished by the end of January 2027.

The two are linked. Hurst Pool has been shut since 7 September, and its swimming lessons and sessions have moved to Xcel in the meantime.

What the assessment looked at

Quest is Sport England’s quality scheme for leisure centres. Xcel had a one-day, in-depth assessment, according to the council’s announcement.

The council says the assessment covered:

  • cleanliness
  • health and safety
  • customer service
  • customer experience

“Delivery, access and inclusion” was the highest-scoring area for the centre, the council said.

Xcel is run by Places Leisure on the council’s behalf. The council points to work aimed at people who do not usually use a leisure centre, including:

  • an exercise referral programme for people with long-term health conditions
  • wellbeing walks and falls prevention sessions
  • cancer and stroke rehabilitation
  • free swimming and lifeguard training courses

Paul Kelly, general manager at Places Leisure, said the team was “thrilled to see their dedication and commitment recognised through this highest rating from Quest”.

Councillor Simon Waugh, the council’s portfolio holder for leisure, said it was “particularly encouraging to see the centre’s commitment to access and inclusion recognised”.

Hurst Pool: stripped out, finish due by end of January

The council’s Hurst Pool update of 30 October says the strip-out is done. So far:

  • the changing village, showers and reception have been fully stripped out
  • all poolside and changing room floor and wall tiles have been removed
  • ground drainage works are being finalised

The council says the project “remains on schedule”. It expects the refurbishment to be completed by the end of January 2027.

That is a firmer date than before. In August the council gave completion as January or February 2027. The work costs £1.45 million.

Four photographs of Hurst Pool during refurbishment: the empty pool tank covered in sheeting, stripped-out changing areas with bare block walls, and the reception area with its signage still up
Inside Hurst Pool during the works. Photo: Elmbridge Borough Council

What it means for you

  • If you moved to Xcel from Hurst Pool, nothing changes yet. Plan on swimming at Xcel until at least February.
  • Parking at Xcel: if the main car park is full, the council points swimmers to the Sports Hub car park, a short walk away.
  • The park and play area at Molesey Hurst stay open throughout the works.
  • A reopening date is not set. “Completed by the end of January” is the council’s target for the building work. It has not said when the pool will open to the public.

Hurst Pool has had a bumpy run to this point: two earlier start dates were dropped before work began in September. Our Hurst Pool refurbishment story has the full timeline and where else to swim.

Sources