A major project by Active Life, supported by Canterbury City Council, that will transform the leisure experience for customers at Kingsmead Leisure Centre is fast taking shape – with the first phase on track for completion this summer.
The circa £8 million transformation will feature a new entrance, foyer and café as well as a large gym with a dedicated ‘Intencity Studio.’ Three new fitness studios and health suite complete with relaxing sauna, steam room and ice room, plus significant improvements to sports hall will complete this stunning new development.
Kent building contractor WW Martin, which is leading the project, started work on site in March 2023. Throughout the work the swimming pool and group class programme have remained available for members and with the preparatory stages, including demolition and groundworks now complete the focus is now on the rebuild.
An important stage was reached this month with the steel framework now in place, giving – for the first time – a real sense of the space that customers old and new will enjoy once the works are complete.
Derek Hambidge, Business Manager of Active Life, said: “We are delighted with the progress made to date in delivering these much-needed improvements on behalf of Canterbury City Council.
“We know how important Kingsmead Leisure Centre is to the wellbeing of our community in Canterbury and to the children that we teach to swim every day. We were therefore delighted to work with the contractors to be able to keep as many facilities as possible open throughout.
“We are hugely thankful for the support of our members as we deliver on our jointly held ambitions to provide modern, first-class leisure facilities for the district.”
Trevor Codd, Director, WW Martin, said: We are very pleased to be undertaking the construction works on this project. With the new build main structure now in place, we will make good progress on site over the coming months as part of the exciting improvements being delivered to the Kingsmead Leisure Centre.”
Cllr Connie Nolan, Cabinet member for Community, Culture, Safety and Engagement at Canterbury City Council, said: It’s great to see progress is being made on this exciting transformation of Kingsmead Leisure Centre – and that the improvements remain on course.
“This investment, being delivered on behalf of Canterbury City Council, was made in direct response to what residents told us in terms of their priorities and I’m delighted that we’re delivering on that promise and look forward to seeing the new look centre opening later this year.”
To keep up to date on this exciting development or to find out more about Kingsmead Leisure Centre visit kingsmeadleisurecentre.co.uk