Demolition contractor Freeley is on site demolishing Woodchurch Leisure Centre in Wirral, Merseyside.
Built in the 1960s, the former swimming pool and leisure facility closed in 2022 and has since suffered from significant vandalism. Scheduled to complete in April 2026, the demolition works follow the safe removal of asbestos.
Appointed by Wirral Council, Freeley has successfully delivered similar large-scale demolition projects in the region, including clearing the North and South annexes at Wallasey town hall, removing multiple buildings in New Ferry to make way for affordable homes, and demolishing the Liscard municipal building and community centre.
Located in a residential area, Woodchurch Leisure Centre is surrounded by schools, a nursery, and a family centre. A community centre on the same site, and sports ground behind the leisure centre, will remain in use throughout demolition.
Freeley’s Director, Michael Freeley, said: “This project demands a range of measures to ensure the highest safety standards. We’ve introduced clearly defined exclusion zones and agreed alternative access routes to keep the public safely away from our working area.
“We’re also doing everything we can to minimise disruption to surrounding properties and the wider community. These efforts have been welcomed by local residents who’ve contacted us to praise how tidy the site is. Careful traffic management, coordinated deliveries, and ongoing communication with our neighbours will ensure continued access to local facilities while keeping the community safe.”
As part of its social value commitment, Freeley has recruited a Wirral resident to work on the project and committed to using local suppliers, carrying out career mentoring sessions, and donating to several charities and good causes, including Mid-Wirral Crime Prevention Panel’s Friday night football sessions, Wirral Ark, Wirral’s Homeless Angels, Shaftesbury Youth Club and the Woodland Trust.
