Dover could have a new leisure centre by 2018 if funding is obtained in the first quarter of next year, it is understood.

The “real decisions” are going to be made in December according to district Cllr Kevin Mills, the chairman of the scrutiny committee.

There are four sites in Dover that are earmarked for a new venue, they include: the current site, Whitfield, the Buckland Paper Mill site, and the Maison Dieu car park.

Dover District Council’s cabinet are yet to reveal the results of a sports and leisure review that took place over the summer.

Chairman of the scrutiny committee, Cllr Kevin Mills, said: “The council will need to make a decision regarding funding in the first quarter of next year.

“If they do then it will be conceivable by 2018 that we will have a sports centre.”

A renewed focus on the Townwall Street building’s future came after petitioner Peter Ward came exclusively to the Mercury showing its poor hygiene levels.

His campaign gained 500 signatures which called for answers about the leisure centre’s future and what can be done to improve current standards.

It was after the petition was presented to the district council’s scrutiny committee that a recommendation was made for any future decisions to be made clear to the public and for consultation to begin.

On Monday, October 12, Kevin Fordham, the deputy managing director of Your Leisure, joined Cllr Mills, Mr Ward and a number of residents and councillors to look around the site.

New cleaning staff had been recruited in a new effort to give the 40-year-old building a new lease of life.

A DDC spokesman said: “A major study is under way to look at the provision of indoor leisure facilities across the district, including a specific review of options for the future of Dover Leisure Centre.

“This is looking at a range of issues and options to reconstruct or replace the Leisure Centre, either on the current site or at an alternative site elsewhere within the Dover urban area.

“We would stress that no decisions have been taken and that at this stage we are simply appraising each site for a range of issues.

“Once a site has been selected, any proposal will of course be subject to all the usual planning requirements. A full report will be made to cabinet later this year to determine next steps.”