£19m sports centre refurbishment deal approved

Councillors have given the green light to plans for a new recreation centre in Deal.

Major proposals for the Tides Leisure Centre were approved at a meeting of Dover City Council on Monday.

Plans include a new 25-metre swimming pool with five lanes, as well as new health and fitness stations, muscle toning tables, multi-functional activity and spinning studios and a café.

They will be integrated with the existing sports hall and the indoor recreation centre, the council said.

The council has approved the next phase of development, which will see plans for an additional swimming lane and recreational facilities explored.

Dover City Council began planning the scheme in 2018, but implementation was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council said it hoped the renovation would make the centre suitable for the next 50 years.

The council indicated that the latest proposals may still be subject to change.

A report will be sent to the council’s cabinet again in December.

Kevin Mills, Leader of Dover City Council, said: “We continue to listen to local communities and are pleased to be able to consider further development of an additional swimming lane and further recreational opportunities.

“We have worked hard to realize this new recreation center, despite the difficult financial climate.”

The council said that the cabinet’s decision is still subject to assessment by the Supervision and Control Committee.