Woolwich Waves smashes all expectation

The new Woolwich Waves in Woolwich town centre has smashed all expectations in its first week of full opening (1-7 January).

The state-of-the-art replacement for the 36-year-old Waterfront Leisure Centre exceeded over 6.5k members at opening and is averaging 4k visits daily - about three times the number visiting the previous facilities.

Family Fun Swims in the leisure pools are proving the most popular - with around 6k visitors in the first 3 days to its flumes and children's splashpad. 

Also proving busy are the two-level gym, health and wellbeing facilities and the Elevate Studio for Bootcamp (HIIT) Fitness Classes.

The UK's foremost leisure charitable social enterprise GLL is running the new facility under its 'Better' brand.

Richard Gallagher, GLL Partnership Manager for Greenwich said:

"Woolwich Waves is the first-class replacement for the much-loved Waterfront Leisure Centre which had served Woolwich residents proudly for 36 years.

"GLL are over the moon to have been entrusted by The Royal Borough of Greenwich to operate their brand-new facility with a remit to get more people active.

"It has certainly got off to a great start this new year with visitor numbers up 300% compared to the same period last year at the old centre.

"New memberships and sign-ups for swimming lessons are also flying - which is testament to the high quality of the facilities - some of the best seen in the capital - and the wide range of dry and wet side activities offered."

GLL is a not-for-profit, staff-owned co-op that reinvests surpluses into facilities and programmes to boost community health and wellbeing.