The next stage of enabling works at West Wickham Leisure Centre have been approved to keep the £16m refurbishment works on track in a substantial boost to the borough’s leisure provision.
Initial enabling works were completed on site over the summer to prepare for the major refurbishment of the centre, which is set to be completed in Spring 2026. Extensive surveys by specialist teams have swiftly identified additional works that are required as part of the refurbishment, including the removal of additional asbestos that was found in the building. This early identification helps to minimise delays by allowing required works to be coordinated within the existing programme, with additional costs remaining within the planned contingencies for the programme.
Improvements to the pool, a new café, and enhanced changing rooms with showers and lockers will be provided as part of the refurbishment works. The improved centre will also feature new exercise studios with power-assisted equipment to support with mobility and rehabilitation. New pool pods and Changing Places facilities will also be introduced to enhance accessibility.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, commented: “This is a necessary step towards the exciting refurbishment of this much-loved centre, which will be an incredible boost to health and wellbeing in the borough. These important initial stages have allowed required works to be identified early in this process, giving us time to adjust for this and prevent major disruption to the programme. This is part of our largest leisure investment in a generation and we are now pressing ahead so that residents can enjoy a greatly improved centre as soon as possible.”
The further enabling works were approved by the Executive Councillor following scrutiny by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee. Improvements to the West Wickham facilities and to the refurbishment of the Walnuts leisure centre are being delivered in partnership with Mytime Active.
Jason Stanton, Chief Executive Officer at Mytime Active, the borough’s long-standing leisure provider, said: “The refurbishment of West Wickham Leisure Centre is very important to us, as we strive to provide the very best wellness offerings. While Mytime Active is constantly adapting to ensure we provide new opportunities, the quality of our facilities is key, so it’s wonderful to see these plans moving forward. While works take place, we continue to provide classes and activities in the West Wickham area and across the borough. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Bromley council to shape the future of West Wickham Leisure Centre.”
Specialist leisure contractor Alliance Leisure are continuing to deliver the enabling works. The centre will remain closed throughout the refurbishment, following the discovery of structural issues earlier this year.
Tom Fairey, Development Director at Alliance Leisure said: “The West Wickham centre plays an important role in promoting health and wellbeing in the local area. We at Alliance Leisure, are delighted to bring our leisure development expertise to continue the delivery of this exciting transformation of the centre, with major investment from the Council, making it fit for the future. The new facilities will encourage more people to be more active and help improve the health and wellbeing of our local community.”
Stay up to date on both these sites at www.bromley.gov.uk/LeisureCentresRefurbishment.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Public Affairs, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk.