Woolwich Waves Leisure Centre Set to Open on New Year’s Day 2026

Residents in Woolwich will kick off 2026 with a major new addition to the town centre, as the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s long-awaited Woolwich Waves leisure centre officially opens on 1 January.

The state-of-the-art £multi-million facility – packed with water slides, three swimming pools, a sprawling two-storey gym and a family-friendly leisure offer – was formally handed over to Better (GLL), the charitable social enterprise that will operate the centre, on Tuesday 2 December.

A Landmark Moment for Woolwich

Council Leader Cllr Anthony Okereke hailed the completion as “the moment thousands of residents have been waiting for,” noting that locals even played a role in naming the flagship facility.

He said Woolwich Waves represents not only a significant investment in public health and wellbeing, but also a key part of the broader regeneration of Woolwich town centre, alongside the refurbishment of the Tramshed Theatre and future plans for new homes, shops and public spaces.

“Woolwich Waves will be at the forefront of improving the quality of life and health of our residents,” he said. “It’s proof that we not only get things done in Greenwich, but we get things done to an incredibly high standard.”

Designed for Everyone

Cllr Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, emphasised the centre’s inclusive design, which includes pool pods for wheelchair users, individual changing rooms and fully accessible family areas.

“I’m not sure I can think of any other building in the country that embodies inspiration and motivation quite like Woolwich Waves,” she said. “To have top-class facilities like this in Woolwich – accessible to everyone – is something to be cherished.”

A Cornerstone of Town Centre Regeneration

Cllr Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, called the new leisure centre a cornerstone of Woolwich’s ongoing transformation.

“When it opens on 1 January it will add to the transformative work already delivered by the Council, including the makeover of Beresford Square and Powis Street,” he said. “This is about creating a vibrant place to live, visit and shop – and Woolwich Waves delivers on that ambition.”

What’s Inside Woolwich Waves

When doors open on New Year’s Day, visitors can expect one of the most comprehensive leisure offers in London:

• 25m eight-lane swimming pool

• Training pool with sensory and interactive light features

• Leisure pool with jets, jacuzzi and two water slides

• Toddler splash zone

• Fully accessible pools with pods and hoists

• Large accessible changing village with individual rooms

• Two-storey gym with views across the slides

• Two dance studios, a 30-bike spin studio, and a bootcamp HIT studio

• Spa and sauna, plus therapy rooms

• 3G five-a-side pitch on the top floor

• Six-court sports hall and two squash courts

• Crèche, two soft play areas, party room and café

The 12,800 sqm building, constructed by Morgan Sindall with significant input from local residents, also received £2.4m in funding from Sport England.

One of the UK’s Greenest Leisure Centres

Woolwich Waves is aiming for a BREEAM Outstanding rating, which would make it only the second leisure centre in the UK to achieve this benchmark. Solar panels on the roof are expected to generate 250,000 kWh per year, helping power the site, the nearby Tramshed Theatre, and future homes.

Strong Local Backing

Peter Bundey, Chief Executive of GLL, said the site is already generating “significant community interest” and will serve as both a modern replacement for the former Waterfront Leisure Centre and a major civic landmark for Woolwich.

Sport England’s Executive Director for Place, Lisa Dodd-Mayne, added that the facility will “break down barriers to activity, bring communities together, and create opportunities for people of all ages to lead healthier, more active lives.”

Soft Launch in January

The centre will undergo a soft launch from 1 January, ahead of a full launch and open weekend on 10 January. During construction, the project created 31 jobs, 39 apprenticeships, and 41 work experience placements for local residents.