A leisure centre has reopened its three-storey soft play area following a major revamp.

Called Amazon Adventure, it forms part of a £2.5 million refurbishment of Maidstone Leisure Centre.

Plans to build the attraction were announced at the end of the summer.

Formerly called Polar Adventure, it was closed for six weeks from September 9 while the transformation was underway.

The new Amazon-inspired space, aimed at children aged 12 and under, features a temple maze as well as a boulder chase challenge, mine cart slides and tree trunk crawl tubes.

There is a climbing volcano and the old snow-themed slides have been turned into lava ones.

A brand-new café has also opened for parents to relax in.

The soft play area will be open between 10am and 4pm on weekdays and during school holidays.

Tots can also attend sessions on weekends between 11am and 2pm but each slot has a maximum capacity of 50 children.

Manager at the centre, James Reynolds, said: “We can’t wait for everyone to experience our new soft play attraction, which also has a special under five’s area complete with a ball pit and toys for toddlers to play with.

“It’s the perfect setting for children to burn off energy and enjoy themselves in a fun, safe and interactive environment.

“This is another exciting addition to Maidstone Leisure Centre, which complements the wide range of improvements we’ve already made to the facility in 2024.”

The upgrade forms part of a multi-million-pound investment into improving facilities at the centre.

In August an Aztec-themed mini-water park opened featuring totem poles, colourful slides and water cannons.

Last December, the leisure centre’s future was discussed at a Maidstone council meeting after councillors were told the cost of maintaining the swimming pool and gym had rocketed by £1 million in the last year.

In the new year, the cabinet announced it would be extending its contract with Maidstone Leisure Trust and Serco Leisure but the council is looking at long-term plans for the 50-year-old building.

It had previously committed to replacing the centre with a new £60m complex by 2029 but following a change of political leadership in May doubt has been cast on whether that will happen.

Cllr Stephen Thompson (Green), the new cabinet member for healthier stronger communities, said in July: “Officers have been carrying out research into what other authorities have done to meet their health and leisure objectives and I’m taking time to understand all the issues and challenges.

“It would be premature of me to commit to open a new or refurbished leisure centre at a particular date.”