In order to closely examine the structure of the centre, asbestos removal first needed to be completed to allow engineers to safely assess the building. To allow for asbestos removal, propping first needed to be installed to allow workers safe access due to initial structural issues identified in early 2024. Asbestos removal was completed in January 2025 to allow structural assessments to be completed in the first half of 2025.

The Council is now set to proceed at pace to deliver the works, including the partial demolition and rebuild, with refurbishment of the remainer of the centre already underway.Plans are subject to final approval at the meeting of the Council in July, with proposals now published. A Planning application and demolition notice will also be required in the usual way.

Yes, there will be no loss to the service in the new centre. Proposals include a new café, gym, reception, heating system, small soft play area and changing rooms, along with a new competition-length pool.

As well as retaining the learner pool that is being refurbished, there will also be a new 25m competition-length pool provided to replace the existing 33m pool, to align with leisure standards found in centres across the country. The competition standard pool will benefit resident and local swimming club activities, while also reducing the running and maintenance costs of the centre. The new pool aligns with earlier feedback from residents and swimming clubs supporting competition length pools in the borough.

Surveys identified immediate structural concerns, which meant the centre had to close in February 2024 to maintain public safety. This was earlier than intended for the planned refurbishment and works were accelerated where possible to try to bring forward works on the centre. The site had to be made safe to allow full structural assessment to take place, this took several weeks to provide the propping and safe access needed.

Bromley is proud to have many pool facilities in comparison to other boroughs, including the Pavilion Leisure Centre, Darrick Wood Pool, Biggin Hill Pool and The Spa Beckenham, all of which are accessible to all Mytime members and casual users. Mytime Active are delivering a programme of alternative leisure services to minimise disruption during the closure period, which includes swimming lessons at Darrick Wood swimming pool.

In line with many modern leisure centres, proposals move to a unisex ‘changing village’ model. These are changing areas with all private cubicles, replacing current open single sex changing spaces. This provides much more privacy and allows families to change together.

Yes. We have worked with specialist leisure consultants to ensure that locker and shower calculations accommodate for both current and future demand.

There has been extensive consultation seeking user and residents' views about their priorities for the future of the centre. The consultation took the form of questionnaires, interviews and workshops and over 6,000 responses were received relating to both West Wickham and Orpington leisure centres. The key themes from this feedback were that the centres should both be brought up to modern standards and not suffer from unplanned closures due to problems with the building or equipment, that all current facilities should be retained and improved where possible and that accessibility should be improved so the facilities can be enjoyed by all. All these core requirements have been addressed by the current plans.

What's happening with my membership or group exercise classes during the works?

For all enquiries regarding access to services during the build, your membership, or other exercise and activity related queries, please contact our leisure provider Mytime Active.

While Mytime Active have not yet determined their pricing strategy to follow the works, there is not expected to be a significant price increase. Membership prices are set with consideration of all its centres and will continue to remain competitive across the borough. Mytime Active are a social enterprise and so will continue to reinvest all revenues, including membership fees, back into local services and facilities.