Plans to revamp Ashford's Stour Centre were given a boost when the architects responsible for the refurbishment of Sheffield’s famous Crucible Theatre got onboard.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) proudly announced this week it has appointed Burrell Foley Fischer, which carried out a £15 million renovation of the home of the World Snooker Championships, to help spruce up Ashford’s leisure centre.

In addition to the building, in Tannery Lane, being given a makeover, the gym will be refurbished and new equipment purchased.

Plans are still being drawn up and the council does not yet know how much the whole project will cost but staff have started applying for funding.

The authority is at the second stage of an application to Arts Council England for a £3 million grant, which would be used by the Jasmin Vardimon Company, based in the Stour Centre.

Assuming funding bids are successful, ABC hopes work will start in autumn 2016 and be completed by the end of the following year.

A new area, known as the Jasmin Vardimon International Laboratory, will be created for the Jasmin Vardimon Company, a dance academy that tours all over the world but has been based in Ashford since 2012.

The centre will contain performance areas, rehearsal spaces and offices and will feature “new media and other technology” that can be used to enhance dancers’ performances, a council spokesman revealed.

Cllr Jessamy Blanford, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “This project is about many things, including ensuring the population of Ashford will benefit from a much-improved health, cultural and well-being offer.

"The regenerated site will provide local jobs, attract users, visitors and audiences alike from outside the borough and offer prestige to the town, ultimately making sure Ashford remains in the top 10 per cent of desirable places to live in the UK.”

Ian Ross, executive director of the Jasmin Vardimon Company, said: “Jasmin Vardimon Company is delighted about the regeneration of the Stour Centre and our place within it. The appointment of Burrell Foley Fischer is great news. Their portfolio indicates they have a deep understanding of both creative spaces and leisure facilities.

"We are looking forward to working with them to help produce a centre of innovation, vision and investment that will further develop our work and offer an invaluable asset to the town, the region and beyond.”

Mark Foley, principal at Burrell Foley Fischer, added: “We are thrilled to have been asked to design improved leisure and cultural facilities for Ashford.

"It is a fascinating project, combining modern sports facilities for local residents with a home for an internationally renowned dance company, and the challenge of integrating these two is enormously exciting.”

ABC is working with Kent County Council, Ashford Leisure Trust and Jasmin Vardimon Company to boost sports and fitness facilities at the leisure centre in a bid to help residents improve their health.

Plans to build a new spin studio, where fitness classes on exercise bikes take place, have already been announced and that is expected to be open by August this year, ahead of the main revamp.