The £8 million transformation of a leisure centre will be revealed next month.

For the last 18 months, the Kingsmead Leisure Centre in Canterbury has been undergoing a major building project, led by operators Active Life.

Throughout the improvement works, the swimming pool and group class programme at the site have remained available.

Now rebranded Kingsmead Pools & Fitness, users will benefit from a new reception, gym, improved swimming facilities, steam room and sauna, fitness studios, ice treatment room, a revamped, bigger sports hall and a new cafe.

Chief executive of Active Life, Anthony Cawley says the centre is “unrecognisable” from before.

He went on: “Working in partnership with Canterbury City Council (CCC) we’re delighted to have created a first-class health and wellbeing centre that will set new standards for facilities, access and sustainability in the heart of the historic city.”

Initial work on the development began in 2020, with the project budgeted to cost £10.5m, but the plans were brought to a halt after the pandemic struck.

However, the scheme was back on the table after £2.2m in savings were made, as Active Life’s parent company Fusion Lifestyle ditched its plan to build a new sports hall on stilts.

Designers have installed measures to minimise the centre’s impact on the environment, reducing energy use at the complex by around a quarter.

Gas boilers have been replaced with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating in the wet changing area has been installed, thanks to a grant awarded to CCC by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

There is also energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the building, plus 18 solar panels and electric vehicle charging points in the car park.

The newly-revamped centre currently has a ‘soft opening’ period for existing members/casual member for some activities.

Swimming lessons start on Monday, September 30 and the official opening will take place on Friday, October 11, for invited guests.

Cllr Connie Nolan, CCC’s cabinet member for community engagement, safety and enforcement, said: “We all know how important exercise is to everyone’s physical and mental health and we hope these fantastic facilities will attract both the seasoned fitness fanatic and those who want a gentler way to get active again.

"I have no doubt that following its refit, Kingsmead Pools & Fitness will once again become a community hub enjoyed by all.”

Cllr Mel Dawkins, cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, added: “By their very nature, leisure centres use up a lot of energy so it was vital to bring Kingsmead Pools & Fitness up to a high standard as part of our work to tackle the climate emergency in the district and to reach the council’s goal of making its buildings net zero by 2030.”

For more information about the new centre’s facilities click here.