Whether it’s whizzing down the water slides, getting fit in the impressive two-storey gym or relaxing in the spa, residents will be able to enjoy the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s new state-of-the-art leisure centre when it opens on New Year’s Day 2026 in the heart of Woolwich town centre.
Council Leader Cllr Anthony Okereke, Cabinet Members and Ward Councillors officially handed over the completed Woolwich Waves building to representatives of Better, a charitable social enterprise, on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:
“The start of 2026 will see the moment thousands of residents have been waiting for as they will be able to experience for the first time the leisure centre they helped to name. It's not just an exemplar leisure centre any city would be proud to have which is aiming for the highest sustainability measures – it's also what's come with it such as the refurbishment of Tramshed Theatre, as well as what's to come in the form of much-needed future new homes, shops, places to eat and public spaces.
“Woolwich Waves will be at forefront of improving the quality of life and health of our residents. As well as three pools, there’s a gym, five-a-side pitch, spa, squash courts and more. Plus plenty for families. I can’t wait to see the look on residents’ faces when they visit for the first time. Woolwich Waves is once again proof that we not only get things done in Greenwich, but we get things done to an incredibly high standard so that residents can enjoy them for generations to come.”
Cllr Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said:
“The Council-funded extensive refurbishment of Tramshed Theatre was the first phase of our town centre leisure centre scheme and now we are on the cusp of opening Woolwich Waves. Inspire and motivate are words often associated with sport and fitness. I’m not sure I can think of any other building in the country – let alone the borough – that embodies those two words as our very own Woolwich Waves.
“The benefits of being active are well known but equally important is that all members of the community have access to top class facilities. Top class facilities that are also truly accessible and inclusive - from the pool pods that mean wheelchair users have access to both pools to the individual changing rooms that protect privacy and dignity. To have all of this in Woolwich and our borough is something to be cherished and enjoyed. I can’t wait to see the impact Woolwich Waves will make to the lives of the very residents who helped give the building its name.”
Cllr Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, said:
“Woolwich is a priority area for the Council and Woolwich Waves is a big part of our ambition to create a vibrant place to live, work and shop. When it opens on 1 January it will add to the transformative work that has already been delivered by the Council, including the refurbishment of Tramshed Theatre and makeover of Beresford Square and Powis Street, all of which are making Woolwich a more attractive place for people to live, visit, shop and work.
“Development should always be used to deliver positive change to an area for existing and new communities and there can be no question that Woolwich Waves delivers on that. We’re giving people every reason we can to attract residents to the market and the town centre, increasing spend and footfall, supporting local businesses and increasing the diversity of what's on offer. From the first planning application, the groundbreaking two years ago, and now the building’s handover, so many people have worked hard to make this very special building a reality. Thank you to you all.”
Once open on New Year’s Day, Woolwich Waves will be home to:
- Eight-lane, 25m swimming pool, a training pool with sensory and interactive light features, a leisure pool with jets and a jacuzzi, two water slides, and a toddler splash zone – all fully accessible with pool pods and hoists
- Large accessible changing area with individual changing rooms
- Extra large, hi-tech gym overlooking the slides and across two floors
- Two dance studios, 30-bike spinning studio, and bootcamp HIT studio
- Health suite with a spa and sauna as well as therapy rooms
- 3G, five-a-side football pitch on the top floor of the building
- Six-badminton court sports hall and two squash courts
- A creche, two soft play areas, a party space, and a cafe
The 12,800sqm building has been built by Morgan Sindall, and input from residents, and received a contribution of £2.4million in funding from Sport England.
Woolwich Waves’ sustainability credentials demonstrate how seriously the Council is to being carbon neutral by 2030. The building is targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating, which will make it only the second leisure centre in the country of this standard. The solar panels on the roof are expected generate 250,000 KWh per year – that will help power the energy centre which will provide heat to the building as well as to Tramshed and the new homes once they are built.
Peter Bundey, GLL Chief Executive, said: “GLL are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich by operating the new Woolwich Waves.
“The new leisure centre is truly state of the art and is already creating significant community interest. This iconic facility is much more than a fitting replacement of the popular Waterfront Leisure Centre; it is a proud civic statement.
“As a charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op we welcome the chance to also use Woolwich Waves to widen and deepen employment and social opportunity for local people.”
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place, Sport England, said: "Woolwich Waves represents exactly the kind of community facility that Sport England is committed to supporting. I have no doubt it will help to break down barriers to activity, bring communities together, and create opportunities for people of all ages to lead healthier, more active lives.
"Our investment reflects our belief in the long-term impact facilities like this can have – not just on participation in sport and activity, but on wellbeing, confidence and connection to local communities.”
Notes to editors:
- 1 January will mark the start of a soft launch phase with a full launch expected on 10 January which will coincide with an open weekend. During the soft launch, Better (GLL) will aim to have everything open all the time but can’t guarantee it.
- During construction, 31 new jobs and 39 apprenticeships were created for local residents
- 41 borough residents took part in work experience placements on the project