Following thousands of public votes, the Royal Borough of Greenwich can finally reveal the name of the council’s new state-of-the-art leisure centre in Woolwich.
With 66.3% of the votes, the overwhelming first choice and the centre’s new name is Woolwich Waves.
More than 1,000 votes were cast in the first 24 hours following an invitation to residents to mark their place in Woolwich history which was viewed more than 50,000 times across social media.
A Royal Borough of Greenwich spokesperson said: “The opening of our multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art leisure centre later this year will be a major milestone for the residents of Woolwich and those across our borough and beyond.
“It will be a brilliant venue unlike any other in the capital and it is fitting that residents have played a key role in naming it. The name points to the excellent swimming pools that residents will soon be able enjoy, and no doubt the waves that will be created by those sliding down the iconic flumes that pay homage to the Waterfront Leisure Centre that so many of us have fond memories of.
“The countdown to the opening of Woolwich Waves is now on and we’re sure the excitement among residents will continue to grow as we move closer to getting the venue ready to open its doors later this year.”
Once open, Woolwich Waves will be home to two swimming pools, water slides, a gym across two levels, a health suite with a spa and sauna, a five-a-side football pitch, sports courts, a creche, soft play and party space, and a cafe.
It will play a key part in delivering the priorities set out in Our Greenwich, particularly supporting residents to live their best life by becoming more active as well as tackling the inequalities that exist in health and wellbeing.
On the same day the council reveal the name of the new leisure, the final solar panel has been installed on top of the roof of the 12,800m sq, three-storey building.
The solar panels are expected to generate 250,000 KWh per year – that will help power the energy centre which will provide heat to the building, the Tramshed next door, and residential apartments once they are built.
A Royal Borough of Greenwich spokesperson added: “It is an Our Greenwich mission that as a council we play an active role in tackling the climate crisis and improving environmental sustainability. Using renewable energy such as solar, which will help power the building and Tramshed next door, shows how seriously committed we are to being carbon neutral by 2030.”
