A leisure centre that has undergone a year of refurbishment work will reopen in less than two weeks' time.

Ashford Borough Council confirmed today that its Stour Centre will reopen on Tuesday, June 1 following a £7.5 million overhaul.

The works will bring extensive changes, including the introduction of a climbing wall, a soft play area and new swimming pool features.

The gym has also been extended, while changing rooms have been revamped.

Of particular note among the new additions is a BIOCIRCUIT room, which is only one of six in the whole of the UK.

Costa Coffee is also opening a branch in the centre, which will be sited near the freshly modernised reception area.

A post on the facility's Facebook page reads: "We're delighted and very excited to let you know that the all new Stour Centre will re-open on Tuesday, June 1.

"It's been a long time coming but now is your chance to be one of the first members at The Stour.

"If you were a member before the major refurbishment we still need you to re-join due to our systems also being upgraded.

"Check out our website to find out what's new and all the very exciting additional facilities the whole family will enjoy."

Unfortunately for swimmers, the council identified unforeseen work that needs to be done to the pool.
As a result, they will remain closed for the time being.

Today's opening date announcement comes just weeks after a new canopy for the entrance was approved in an ABC planning committee meeting.

Ashford residents reacted with anger when the scheme was first announced in June last year, as it meant the Stour Centre would close for a year.

The snap announcement also angered staff members, who were not told of the refurbishment plan before a KentOnline article was published about the works.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) responded that if the centre wasn't fully closed, the plan would have taken nine months longer to complete.

The closure resulted in the loss of 115 jobs, and it's not known how many of the staff will be returning upon the upgraded centre's launch.

There were also questions raised on the need for refurbishment, as the Stour Centre underwent a £17m revamp in the mid-2000s.

Following the outcry from residents and staff, UNISON set up a petition to block the temporary closure - an effort which gained more than 1,800 signatures.

In details released today, it was revealed the works have actually cost £1 million more than the £6.5 million that had been originally anticipated.

Ivan Horsfall-Turner, managing director of Stour Centre operator Freedom Leisure, said: “We are delighted and excited to be opening the new Stour Centre in Ashford on behalf of Ashford Borough Council.

"A significant amount of investment has gone in to make The Stour Centre one of the best leisure centres in the South-East and we look forward to welcoming people from far and wide to this flag-ship facility.”

Ashford MP Damian Green said: "It improves Ashford's leisure offer hugely, you have to keep centres like the Stour Centre up to date.

"I remember the revamp in the mid-2000s - it was inconvenient at the time but came back much better than it had been before and I'm sure it will be again.

"In a way, it's been a useful coincidence that it's coincided with a period when indoor exercise has been banned anyway.

"The fact that as it's being unlocked as we're being unlocked is brilliant news for Ashford."

He also recognised the importance of swimming as a form of exercise and said "the sooner people can get back into the pool, the better."

Cllr Matthew Forest, portfolio holder for culture, said: “At a time when investment in leisure provision has been severely affected by the pandemic elsewhere, the council is investing significantly, showing the importance placed on providing the very best leisure facilities for our community.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford