Three floodlit 3G football pitches have been unveiled at a new-look sports complex.

It marked the completion of the first phase of construction at the Kedbull Leisure complex, formerly known as Bowaters and then Fleet leisure, in Nelson Road, Northfleet.

The project has faced “delays and challenges” but the new pitches will now be available on a pay-and-play basis, as well as to local schools and amateur, semi-pro, and professional football clubs.

At the opening today (May 22), the Mayor Gravesham Cllr Daniel Adewale King was joined by Cllr Lauren Sullivan, the council’s cabinet member for community and leisure.

She said: “Having these new pitches open and available for public use in the heart of Northfleet is such good news for the local community.

“Northfleet has some of the most challenging wards in the country when it comes to inequalities in youth health, and a modern facility like this that makes it easier for young people to take up sport and fitness activity is to be welcomed.”

“Long in the memory of residents, there has been this place, formerly known as Bowaters and then Fleet leisure, where residents and families could come to together to play sports and socialise.

“I am pleased to see this community sport asset has been preserved and is being enhanced.”

Work will now start on the second phase which will include a two-storey club house, physio rooms, classrooms, a bar and events space.

Nathan Bullas, from EUFC Elite Ltd who is co-running the new centrealongside former Ebbsfleet United striker and newly apppointed Ashford United manager Danny Kedwell.

Mr Bullas said: “We are thrilled to have finally opened the three ‘state of the art’ artificial football pitches.

“We have seen a huge uptake from social bookings, local grass root teams, local schools and even semi-professional clubs. We continue to drive the project forward and cannot wait to add the grass pitches as well as the main club house over the course of next year.

“This project will be a centre aimed at promoting accessible sport, leisure and health to the local community.”

The previous leisure centre was destroyed in a fire in 2017 having laid empty for almost five years.

Planning permission was granted in 2020 to transform the former Fleet Leisure and Sports Club in Northfleet into a new sporting facility.