A town’s long-awaited new leisure centre has been given a huge boost after £17 million worth of funding allocated for the project was signed off.

The Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend has been earmarked for a rebuild for several years.

The scheme will now benefit from the majority of a £20 million pot of cash from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Council bosses were forced to go back to the drawing board about how to spend the allocation following public feedback over their initial proposals.

In November 2023, it was announced Gravesham Borough Council would the money as part of round three of the Levelling Up Fund.

Initially, this was going to be used to deliver earlier proposals for a new civic and community hub at St George’s Square.

However, following the public feedback and in response to changing economic conditions, a request was made to vary the bid.

The general election meant a decision on the revised proposals was put on hold while the new government reviewed spending plans.

New plans for the allocation of the money have now been signed off by local growth minister Alex Norris MP.

The funding will see Cascades Leisure Centre redeveloped as a new low-carbon leisure facility that can host regional events.

Plans for the new £34 million leisure centre received the go-ahead in March 2023.

The centre will include a 25m pool, 17m learner pool, an aqua play and water flume area, poolside steam and sauna, a spectator viewing area, a sports hall with six courts and tiered seating, a multi-level soft play zone, a 'clip n climb' zone, party and community rooms and a café, all on the ground floor.

On the first floor, there will be two squash courts, two multi-use studios, a spin bike studio and a 100-station fitness suite.

The remaining £3 million of Levelling Up Fund cash will be used to deliver a range of initiatives within the borough’s urban areas to “improve public spaces, create new workspaces for small businesses and accommodate new community uses”.

The revised proposals focus on supporting health, wellbeing, employment and skills for people across the borough.

Council leader John Burden (Lab) said: “We are delighted that our revised plans have been given the go-ahead.

“This is a clear vote of confidence in the area and capitalises on the compelling case for investment in Gravesham.

“This funding will make a real difference to the lives of the residents of some of the country’s most deprived wards, helping to address health inequalities, give our residents access to local skills opportunities, and make our urban centres fit for the future economy.”

Deborah Croxton (Lab), cabinet member for communities and leisure, added: “The news that this funding can be used to support the new Cascades centre means that when complete, not only will it be a regional-standard sports centre, it will also provide a centre of support for those who need it the most.

”The impact will be felt well beyond Riverview Park where the centre is based, as our emerging ‘hub and spoke’ approach to health, wellbeing, employment and skills will be rolled out across our urban centres, including Northfleet and Gravesend town centres.”