More than £2.5 million is to be ploughed into a treasured community sports and leisure centre.

Gravesham council is set to commit a hefty investment in Fleet Sports and Leisure Club in Nelson Road, Northfleet.

Financial trouble led to the ground closing in September 2013, but after more than a year of it sitting locked up and disused Gravesham council declared in January that it had plans to re-open it.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday, it was recommended the council pledge £2.6 million to Gravesham Community Leisure Limited (GCLL) to restore the site to its former glory, with work believed to start this summer.

GCLL already runs the council’s leisure facilities and centres.

Gravesham council leader Cllr John Burden said the money would be paid back over 22 years.

He added: “Like with any borrowing scheme, you have to see that the income meets the money borrowed, and it does and we are now able to have facilities the area needs.”

The development will include six five-a-side 3G artificial pitches, one larger 3G pitch, and two grass pitches.

There will be no full-size 3G pitch on site, but it has been suggested by the council that one could be built at Cascades Leisure Centre in Thong Lane, Gravesend, or Cygnets Leisure Centre in Old Perry Street, Northfleet.

Ebbsfleet Utd FC would use Fleet Leisure to train, and Cllr Burden said this could benefit young aspiring footballers.

He said: “I think the whole idea of the plan is that we can engage children and get them to enjoy football from a young age.

“They can watch Ebbsfleet train, and understand what they need to achieve to aspire to that level.”

However, the council boss made it clear this was a centre for everyone and not just for professional footballers.

He said: “On the plans it’s very clear that the 3G pitches that are being provided are available for youth and adult five-a-side games.

“We’ve got a large pitch and also two grass pitches that will be used for lower league games. Ebbsfleet will also use a grass pitch for training.”

In addition, a gym will be open to the public.

Cllr Burden said the need for a gym was discovered after an increase in the number of people using the facilities at Cascades and Cygnets.

The proposals have now been referred to full council for a final decision.