New Dover District Leisure Centre to Open Monday, 25 February
The new Dover District Leisure Centre is to open to the public at 9am on Monday, 25 February. Builders, BAM Construction, are due to formally handover the building on time and on budget to Dover District Council and operators, Places Leisure, on Friday, 15 February.
The existing Dover Leisure Centre on Townwall Street will close at 5pm on Sunday, 17 February to allow for the transfer to the new leisure centre and for staff training at the new facility in Whitfield.
The £26m Dover District Leisure Centre features the first swimming pool in Kent to be purpose-built to Sport England specifications for a county standard competition swimming pool. The 25m x 17m 8-lane pool includes starting blocks, timing pads, and an electronic scoreboard. With spectator seating for 250 people, Dover will be a major venue for swimming galas. The 15m x 8.5m learner pool, which features a moveable floor to vary the depth, can also be used as a warm-up/down facility for competitive swimming. Both pools are fully accessible and include pool-pod platform lifts.
Dry-side facilities at the new leisure centre include a four court sports hall; clip ‘n climb interactive climbing arena; 120-station fitness suite; two multi-activity studios; spin studio; two glass-backed squash courts with spectator seating; two outdoor five-a-side 3G pitches; sauna and steam room, café, and 250 parking spaces.
Tony Crafer, Contract Manager for Places Leisure, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Dover District Leisure Centre. It’s a fantastic new centre and offers a real step change in the level of facilities and access. Whether you’re looking to up your physical fitness, or just have some fun with friends, there really is something for everyone.”
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Dover District Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Property, said: “We’re delighted to be opening the new Dover District Leisure Centre on time and on budget. It’s been a real team effort and we’d like to thank Sport England for their unstinting support of the project, along with the many local people, sports clubs and teams, and community groups, who contributed their ideas and helped shape the new leisure centre.”
Posted on 29 January 2019