Library image: Tides Leisure Centre
There’s exciting news for Deal’s leisure centre with Dover District Council’s Cabinet is set to discuss a promising proposal this Thursday (Feb 6th) that could see Your Leisure step in as interim operator for the sports hall and tennis centre at Tides Leisure Centre.
This positive step will ensure these much-loved facilities remain open while the ambitious £20 million redevelopment of the centre progresses.
This exciting development follows diligent exploration of various options to maintain services for the community. Since the Cabinet meeting on January 13th, two additional operators have expressed interest, leading to further negotiations and a revised, more competitive proposal from Your Leisure.
The Cabinet will consider approving Your Leisure as the interim operator for the sports hall and tennis centre and will also discuss launching a competitive tendering process to secure a long-term operator. The goal is to have a new operator in place by April 1, 2026, for the “dry-side” facilities, and by Summer 2027 for the full, newly redeveloped centre.
This news comes hot on the heels of January’s exciting announcement that the Cabinet approved major plans for a brand new Deal leisure centre. The state-of-the-art facility will boast a six-lane pool with a toddler splash pad, along with an extensive range of health and fitness amenities.
“We’ve been working tirelessly to find a solution that keeps these vital facilities open during this transformative period,” said Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of DDC. “Since our January report, we’re thrilled to have received new options, potentially leading to an even better outcome. We’ve secured a more competitive expression of interest which could be a win-win for everyone, and we’re eager to discuss these possibilities on Thursday.”
The public is encouraged to stay updated on this exciting project by visiting the Deal Leisure Centre page on the DDC website. For details on the Cabinet meeting on February 6th, please visit the DDC meetings page. The council intends to hold as much of the meeting as possible in public, though some discussions may move into private session to address confidential information.