Thousands of people have already made their way through the doors of the state-of-the-art new Woolwich Waves since it opened on New Year’s Day. On Saturday 21 March, Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Cllr Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, officially launched the centre alongside other councillors, Better staff and representatives from Sport England and Tramshed Theatre.
The day which saw an acrobatic spectacular from Woolwich based AirCraft Circus Academy, masterclass from Woolwich-born professional women’s cricketer Phoebe Franklin, and performance from local young singer Ethan Quao, was the culmination of a wider project to which also refurbished the much-loved Tramshed Theatre and will deliver 557 new homes.
Funded by the Council alongside a £2.4million contribution from Sport England, the 12,800sqm state-of-the-art new facility, is operated by Better (GLL) on the Council’s behalf, and features a five-a-side football pitch, three swimming pools, slides, toddler splash area, spa, creche, soft play and much more.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “Woolwich Waves is at the forefront of improving the quality of life and health of our residents – the very same residents who helped give the building its name - and there’s plenty for families. 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 made possible the refurbishment of Tramshed Theatre and future new homes, shops, places to eat and public spaces. All sat within a revitalised town centre after the recent glow-up of Beresford Square and Powis Street.
“Woolwich Waves is once again proof that we not only get things done in Greenwich so that residents can enjoy them for generations to come.”
Cllr Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “Since Woolwich Waves opened thousands of residents have been getting active with 90,000 visits to the pool with memberships increasing to 9,200. It’s truly accessible and inclusive with pool pods that mean wheelchair users have access to both pools to the individual changing rooms that protect privacy and dignity.
"Tramshed Theatre also benefited as part of the wider project which saw it completely refurbished and reopened in 2022. Now both buildings are connected to each other with additional shared rooms for the Theatre within Woolwich Waves too. Delivering this state-of-the-art facility for our communities shows that Greenwich are Getting Things Done to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.”
Phoebe Franklin, Surrey and Oval Invincibles cricketer, who also attended the groundbreaking for the project in 2023, said: “Woolwich Waves is a truly special place with amazing facilities on offer, from cricket nets and football pitches, to swimming and soft play, with accessible facilities for everyone in the community to enjoy.”
Peter Bundey, Chief Executive, GLL, said: “GLL are proud that our long-standing partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich continues with the operation of the new Woolwich Waves.
“It is already clear the impact these iconic town centre facilities are having on local community wellbeing - with visitor numbers up significantly.
"We look forward to welcoming many more people through the doors and the chance to widen and deepen health and social opportunity in the borough."
Simon Hayes, Chief Executive, Sport England, said: “Woolwich Waves sets a new standard for community health and connection; it’s a great place to exercise, a wellbeing hub, and a space for people of all ages to come together and have fun. We target our resources to communities with the highest social need, and our investment into Woolwich Waves is supporting local residents to lead happier and healthier lives.”
Bethan Tomlinson, Interim Director, Tramshed, said: “Tramshed and Woolwich Waves represent the exciting possibilities available in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Two high-class venues standing side by side in the heart of Woolwich, serving as hubs of creativity, movement and community. With two brand new spaces inside Woolwich Waves, Tramshed are now able to provide more space and hours for local organisations and initiatives to work in and for our shared community.”
Woolwich Waves is aiming for highest sustainability rating of BREEAM Outstanding, helping the council towards its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030, which will make it only the second leisure centre in the country of this standard. The 488 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 – as part of the residential development behind the leisure centre - once they are built.
Woolwich Waves in numbers
- £2.4million contribution in funding from Sport England
- 12,800sqm in size over three storeys
- 9,200 members signed up so far
- 200,000 visits to since soft opening to the public on New Year’s Day 2026
- 90,000 visits to the pools since opening
- 3,525 residents votes received to choose the building’s name
- Targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating, which will make it only the second leisure centre in the country of this standard
- 488 solar panels on roof expected generate 250,000 KWh per year to help power the energy centre which will provide heat to the building as well as to Tramshed
- Three swimming pools, including
- Eight-lane, 25metre swimming pool
- One training pool with sensory and interactive light features
- One leisure pool with jets and a jacuzzi
- Two water slides, and a toddler splash zone – all fully accessible with pool pods and hoists
- One large accessible changing area with individual changing rooms
- Two-level hi-tech gym
- Two dance studios, 30-bike spinning studio, and bootcamp HIT studio
- Two studios linked to the neighbouring Tramshed theatre and community arts hub
- One health suite with a spa and sauna as well as therapy rooms
- One 3G, five-a-side football pitch on the top floor of the building
- One six-badminton court sports hall with cricket nets, and two squash courts
- One creche, two soft play areas, a party space, and a cafe
- 40 hours of targeted community sessions every week, including powerchair football, older adult club, disability fun and fitness, sport for mental health and women only swimming and sport
- 31 new jobs and 39 apprenticeships were created for local residents during construction
- 41 residents took part in work experience placements on the project
Sport England research shows that for every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity, over £4 is generated for the economy and society. The annual social value of community sport and physical activity is £123 billion.