Sports centre £19m revamp approved

The work on the Tides Leisure Centre in Deal could be completed by summer 2027, Dover council says

Plans for new leisure centre facilities in Deal have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Major proposals for the Tides Leisure Centre were approved by Dover District Council's cabinet at a meeting on Monday.

The plans include a new five lane 25m pool, as well as new health and fitness stations, toning tables, multi activity and spin studios, and café area.

They will be integrated with the existing sports hall and indoor leisure centre, the council says.

The council has agreed to move to the next stage of development, with an agreement to explore plans for an additional swimming lane and leisure facilities.

Dover District Council began planning the scheme in 2018, but it was held up by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council said it hoped the upgrade would make the centre fit for purpose for the next 50 years.

The latest proposals could still be subject to change, the council said.

A further report is set to return to the council's cabinet in December.

Kevin Mills, leader of Dover District Council, said: “We continue to listen to local communities and are pleased to be giving further consideration to an additional swimming lane and further leisure options.

"We have worked hard to make this new leisure centre deliverable in what has been a difficult financial climate."

The decision made by cabinet is subject to call-in by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the council said.