Greenwich Council has confirmed that the new Woolwich Waves leisure centre will open on New Year’s Day 2026, offering residents a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Woolwich town centre.
Representatives from the council handed over the completed building in General Gordon Square to charitable social enterprise Better, which will operate the centre. Woolwich Waves will feature an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool, a training pool, a leisure pool with jets, a jacuzzi, two water slides, and a toddler splash zone. All aquatic facilities are fully accessible with pool pods and hoists.
In addition to swimming, the centre will offer a two-floor gym, two dance studios, a 30-bike spinning studio, a bootcamp HIIT studio, and a health suite with a spa, sauna, and therapy rooms. There will also be a six-badminton-court sports hall, two squash courts, a 3G five-a-side football pitch on the top floor, a creche, two soft play areas, a party space, and a café.
Council leader Anthony Okereke 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. Woolwich Waves will be at the forefront of improving the quality of life and health of our residents.” He added that the project is linked to wider regeneration, including refurbishment of the Tramshed Theatre and new homes, shops, public spaces, and leisure facilities.
The centre will begin a soft launch on 1 January, with a full launch and open weekend planned for 10 January. Better hopes to have all facilities open during the soft launch, but some areas may not be fully available.
As part of the Woolwich Waves project, Greenwich Council is supporting the delivery of hundreds of new homes behind the leisure centre. Planning approval has increased the number of units from 482 to 557, with over a third allocated as socially rented. The locally listed Bull Tavern on Vincent Road will be demolished to make way for the additional housing.
The 30-year-old Waterfront Leisure Centre will close and be demolished once Woolwich Waves opens. The council intends to sell the 2.25-acre riverside site to a developer to build 310 homes in a tower block up to 20 storeys.
