New drone footage shows how a sports centre’s long-anticipated £8m overhaul is progressing a year on.

Charity Active Life today unveiled the clip as Canterbury’s Kingsmead Leisure Centre’s steel framework was fitted.

Expected to open this summer, the fitness spot will feature a new entrance, steam room, sauna, ice treatment, fitness studios, and a revamped sports hall.

Speaking today, Active Life boss Derek Hambidge, said: “We are delighted with the progress made to date in delivering these much-needed improvements on behalf of Canterbury City Council.

“We know how important Kingsmead Leisure Centre is to the wellbeing of our community and to the children that we teach to swim every day.

“We were therefore delighted to work with the contractors to be able to keep as many facilities as possible open throughout.”

The timelapse drone footage shows the moment builders WW Martin clad the foundations with the steel frameworks.

Throughout the work, the swimming pool and group class programme at the Kingsmead Road site have remained available amid the extensive building.

Trevor Codd, director of, WW Martin, said: “With the new build main structure now in place, we will make good progress on site over the coming months as part of the exciting improvements being delivered.”

Bosses behind the plans to upgrade the district’s busiest sports centre previously told KentOnline the works are due to finish this year.

Initial work on the development began in 2020, with the project budgeted to cost £10.5m.

But the plans was brought to a halt in the April after the pandemic struck, with the scheme put on hold.

However, the scheme was back on the table after £2.2m savings were made, as Active Life’s parent company Fusion Lifestyle ditched its vision to build a new sports hall on stilts.

Today, Canterbury City cabinet member councillor Connie Nolan, said: It’s great to see progress is being made on this exciting transformation of Kingsmead Leisure Centre – and that the improvements remain on course.

“This investment, being delivered on behalf of Canterbury City Council, was made in direct response to what residents told us in terms of their priorities and I’m delighted that we’re delivering on that promise and look forward to seeing the new look centre opening later this year.”

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