The leisure centre was earmarked for demolition but its final days could be soon
The old viewing platform at the back of Woodchurch Leisure Centre. (Image: Copyright Unknown)
An update has been given on when a Merseyside leisure centre is set to be demolished. The Woodchurch Leisure Centre was popular in the past but has been closed for several years and suffered significant vandalism since.
Three years ago, the Wirral leisure centre was earmarked for demolition “to make way for a growth in outdoor leisure provision” as part of £20m budget cuts passed by Wirral Council, saving £402,000. The leisure centre had been heavily subsidised by the council and would have needed significant costs to be spent on repairs.
Following the 2022 decision, a bid was put forward to take it over with supporters raising more than £83,000. Despite a massive community effort, this bid was unsuccessful and the money raised was handed over to community groups.
In September, the local authority approved two contracts to demolish the centre, a building many in the nearby area do not want to see go. A council decision notice said it was a last resort.
The update on the demolition came in a report before councillors on November 19 over a number of capital schemes the council is carrying out or is involved in. At the moment, the council expects the leisure centre to be demolished by March 2027.
Wirral Council is also moving forward with the demolition of Dominick House in Liscard though this is waiting for further decisions to be made. The demolition of old council buildings of Egerton Grove in the town has now finished.
The wider regeneration of Liscard is set to move forward in the next few months. A proposal related to a community hub in the town is expected to come forward soon.
Elsewhere in Wallasey, works on the new Mosslands School is expected to start before March 2026 following approval of the plans by councillors. The project is being delivered by the Department for Education and will take place over the next two years.
In Birkenhead, the council is working on a project initiation process to develop a number of catalyst projects to improve the town centre and other parts of the town. This comes after a critical regeneration review told the local authority to develop a recovery plan for the town.
For Woodside, Hamilton Square and Argyle Street, planned works to improve those areas have taken a step forward with a potential construction partner submitting their tender. This will now be reviewed by the local authority.
Plans for a new park along the Dock Branch trainline are being reviewed due to a number of technical issues but things are still moving ahead with buying the southern section.
This is to coincide with the Borough Yard development, formerly known as the Hind Street Urban Village, which could see 1,600 homes built.
Beyond regeneration, Wirral Council revealed it has resurfaced 50km of roads across the borough this year. Footway surface treatments are still ongoing but the council is “well on target” to complete the programme.
In schools, £2.4m has been allocated to repair school roofs while money has been set aside for fire risk assessments and new boilers. Work is also planned at Joseph Paxton, Foxfield School, and Stanley School to create additional classroom capacity for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Overall, nearly £97m is expected to be spent before March 2026 while nearly £94m is expected to be spent by March 2027.