Details of a new £34 million leisure centre to replace Cascades in Gravesend have been announced.

Papers set to go before Gravesham council's cabinet on Monday say both Cascades Leisure Centre and Cygnets in Northfleet are ageing with "issues in respect of their building quality", and outline plans to replace Cascades.

Preliminary details in the report show the preferred site for the centre is the car park of the existing Cascades, which would remain open throughout building work.

Set to be completed by late Spring 2024 at the earliest, the project would involve the creation of an outdoor "active environment" area, but the existing Regan’s Bar would be demolished.

The new centre would include an eight-lane swimming pool, with a 100 seat spectator area for swimming galas, a 10m x 20m teaching pool, three studios for health and fitness sessions, a gym, squash courts, sports hall and community rooms of primary care sessions such as weight management, health screening, and dietary advice.

There would also be a lobby foyer and cafe, which would include a a soft play and 'clip and climb' area, while the outdoor area could include spaces for cycling, walking, running, and children’s play.

The report to the cabinet states Gravesham currently has a shortfall of six to eight swimming lanes; that demand for swimming lessons, sports hall use and gym use has returned following the pandemic, and that there is "gap in the market" for soft play provision.

Originally constructed in the late 60s and 70s, Thong Lane centre changed its name to Cascades following a £2.6 million transformation project, which included a new leisure pool, in 1988.

But the new report notes a survey in 2019 highlighted a number of problems with the building, including pool and floor tiling which it states is "in poor condition and can result in injury to users."

It also says the flume structure is corroding and requires extensive overhaul, the changing areas are ageing and in need of refurbishment, and the main pool is in need of attention.

Although replacing the building is more expensive than refurbishing, it was felt a new centre was preferable to help accommodate the new swimming area, provide a better centre and a greater capacity to generate more money.

It added: "Whilst a new build will have a higher capital cost, the study outlines that this should be balanced against the significant benefits provided in terms of its attractiveness, potential for co-location of health and wellbeing spaces, and greater capacity to generate revenue via a more cohesive and modern orientation of spaces.

"It is also important to recognise that development of a new-build facility will enable the council to further deliver its ambition for its operations to be net-zero by 2030."

With regards to Cygnets at the other side of the borough, the papers reveal there are "proposals at Ebbsfleet for a landmark leisure facility" which, if delivered, could be "a potential replacement for Cygnet Leisure Centre".

The report says: "Proposals for a hub leisure facility at Ebbsfleet Garden City (if delivered) will provide regional standard facilities for swimming and sports hall provision.

"Therefore, the future plans for the current Cygent Leisure Centre site will need to be considered and agreed once it is known whether the Ebbsfleet landmark leisure facility is developed and if so, when it will be completed."

The report recommends that the council's cabinet members support the proposals and "grant delegated authority to the communities director in consultation with council leader, the corporate services director and monitoring officer."

A consultancy team will be appointed to take the project through the design and construction phases to completion.