Leisure centre set to close for two years for revamp
BBCA Kent leisure centre is set to close its pool and gym for two years for a multi-million pound renovation.
Tides Leisure Centre in Deal will shut its doors by 31 March if Dover District Council (DDC) cabinet approves plans for the £19m renovation to proceed to the next stages of development at a meeting on Monday.
Councillor Stacey Blair told BBC Radio Kent the council hoped to "provide solutions" for groups to use other leisure centres.
Retired headteacher Mary Heard said she would travel to Dover or Ramsgate to use facilities but was "worried about the older people who go swimming as I think many of them won't return".
The scheme would see work completed by summer 2027 on a new six-lane swimming pool, larger gym, range of fitness studios and a cafe.
The council said it hoped the upgrade would make the centre fit for purpose for the next 50 years and be integrated with the existing sports hall and indoor leisure centre.
Ms Blair added that the current leisure centre's "areas of egress unfortunately don't lend themselves to remaining open whilst the redevelopment occurs".
Andy Martin is a regular gym goer from Deal but will have to work out elsewhere when Tides closes.
"I'm going to go to one of the local gyms," he said. I think there is a danger of people getting out of the fitness habit but hopefully once the new leisure centre opens, it will attract everybody back again."
DDC approved plans for the complex in July 2024.
Council leader Kevin Mills said: "We've been working hard over the last two years to deliver the new leisure centre despite previous concerns over its affordability, to listen to what people want for the future and to move forward with modern facilities for residents and visitors."
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