The Royal Borough of Greenwich will soon be opening its £80 million exemplar leisure centre in Woolwich town centre, which is central to the town’s regeneration.

Opening later this year, Woolwich Waves – a name chosen by local residents – will replace the Waterfront Leisure Centre, which will stay open until the new centre is ready. The facility has been recognised by the council as being key to supporting residents to live their best life by helping them to become more active, as well as tackling health inequalities. It will be managed by GLL under its Better brand.

Facilities will include a 25 metre, eight lane swimming pool; leisure pool with flumes and slides; a teacher training pool; a health suite with sauna and steamroom; a two-storey gym; a six-court sports hall; a five-a-side hall; a multi-purpose exercise studio, squash courts; soft play area, creche and party rooms; community spaces and a cafe.

Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Anthony Okereke, says this is a gamechanger: “The new leisure centre is at the forefront of our plan to improve the quality of life and health of our residents. We’ve invested in the health and wellbeing of residents and this new venue will be used for generations to come.”

The project has been undertaken following a public consultation in 2019 which highlighted the need for community space beside the new leisure facilities.

The wider regeneration includes the construction of 482 homes to the rear of the centre which will be a mix of for sale and rent. There will also be shops, workspace, places to eat and a new community square. As part of the works the Tramshed building, home to the Tramshed Theatre, is being refurbished.

Designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, Woolwich Waves is being constructed by Morgan Sindall and Buro Happold has provided engineering services. Solar energy will be used to help power the centre, the Tramshed and residential apartments. The council is committed to being carbon neutral by 2030.

Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL will present a keynote at the HCM Summit on 23 October in London. Find out more about book your place at www.HCMsummit.livewww.HCMsummit.live.

HCM Summit 2025 speakers include:

Humphrey Cobbold, chair, PureGym

Russell Barnes, CEO, David Lloyd

Greg Oliver, CEO, Fitness and Lifestyle Group Asia

Neil Randall, CEO, Urban Gym Group

Martin Seibold, CEO, LifeFit Group

Rebecca Passmore, COO, PureGym

Juan del Rio, CEO, VivaGym

Anna Bjurstam, senior strategic adviser, Six Senses

Oliver Patrick, co-founder, Future Practice

Marc Magliacano, managing partner, L.Catterton

Sophie Lawler, CEO, Total Fitness

Peter Bundey, CEO, GLL

Alice John, director, Sports Business Group, Deloitte