A scheme to replace an ageing leisure centre with a revamped facility in the heart of Woolwich is set to take a step forward next week.

Greenwich Council has long planned to close the Waterfront Leisure Centre and move services to Viscount House, next to General Gordon Square, in the centre of the town.

Cabinet members are poised to rubber-stamp the delivery of the new leisure centre at a meeting next week.

“The project will enable the council to re-provide the leisure centre facilities in the town centre supporting the regeneration ambitions of the council and its commitment to the Woolwich town centre,” a new report explains.

The Waterfront Leisure Centre will deteriorate without major investment, officers have said.

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“Given the age of the building, a new-build leisure centre is the overall best value option,” the report explains.

“Some investment will be required to keep the existing centre operational until the new centre is built.”

The scheme has been split into two phases – which may lead to “cashflow” problems, according to officers, who say reserves may be needed.

Phase one will have the revamped leisure centre built in the heart of the town, with a second phase bringing a housing development behind the site.

It is not clear yet whether the new houses will be built by the council or whether the land will be sold to developers.

Councillors are planning to consult on what facilities the new leisure centre should include before a provider and a final design are picked.

Neighbours of the new site including Troy Court, Vincent Road, the Gurdwara Sahib and the Tram Shed will also be consulted.

It comes as 44 per cent of young people in Woolwich Riverside have been deemed overweight.

“One of the key aims of the project is to get residents who currently do not take part in physical activity to use the new leisure centre,” officers said.

Woolwich is set for a major regeneration as the council is preparing to bid for government cash to revitalise high streets.

Last year Downing Street announced the Future High Streets fund, a £675m pot of cash for councils to apply for.

Council leader Danny Thorpe said earlier this month: “Woolwich would be the front-runner for that based on the criteria published by the government.

“We will be working with British Land who have come into a lot of ownership in Woolwich, to shape a sort of new masterplan and a new vision for, I guess, the town.”

A decision regarding the new Woolwich leisure centre will be made next Wednesday, January 23.