The partial rebuild of the West Wickham Leisure Centre, including a new competition-length swimming pool, is set to move ahead in a matter of weeks.
The news confirms West Wickham will have new modern leisure facilities, with the proposals including a new café, gym, reception and changing rooms. A competition-length pool will also be provided in line with modern leisure centre standards, for residents to enjoy while benefiting local swimming club activities.
The revised proposals follow reassessment work at the centre after the asbestos had been removed, which allowed the building structure to be examined more closely. Part of the building has been determined to be beyond economic repair and will therefore be demolished and rebuilt, with demolition commencing this summer. Although the centre will now be delivered on a revised schedule expected to reopen in early 2028, the rebuild plan will give greater long-term certainty and also minimise future maintenance costs. The revised timeline for completing the project reflects the more substantial nature of the £22m works now required for the centre including the rebuild.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “We are determined to secure the long-term future of our much-valued West Wickham leisure centre. We have been transparent with residents since the structural issues were discovered and it is right to share the latest plan which delivers a swimming pool in West Wickham for generations to come, which is of course welcome. I know many residents will be excited to see this new leisure centre coming forward, with this revised approach now representing best value for the future of this centre.”
While the partial rebuild is being arranged at pace, works are also continuing on the refurbishment of the remainder of the centre. This rebuild work includes the retrofit of the learner pool which continues to reflect best value.
A demolition notice will shortly be published, which is part of the official process to enable the envisaged work to move forward, with plans also subject to final approval at the meeting of the Council in July, with proposals now published as part of the council’s committee process. A revised planning application will then be submitted for the new aspects of the building in the usual way.
Specialist leisure developer Alliance Leisure will continue to deliver these important works for the council, with the main contractor, Etec Group. The West Wickham Leisure Centre was closed last year following initial findings of structural issues at the centre. Enabling works, including asbestos removal, have already been completed, which will allow works on the rebuild to proceed at pace.
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