A town is marking the end of an era this week as the demolition of a long-standing leisure centre begins - making way for a £20 million replacement facility.

Members of Dover District Council (DDC)’s voted unanimously in August to tear down Tides in Deal.

Almost two months on, final approval has now been granted by councillors for construction to begin on the new Deal Leisure Centre.

Work to flatten the existing pool building got underway on Monday, following the removal of the adjacent former nursery building last week.

The project, estimated to finish in 2027, will see the current 1987-built facility replaced by a new six-lane pool, a new gym and a toddler splash pad.

It will also offer enhanced accessibility - including a new platform lift and changing places facility - opening up the venue to host wheelchair sports.

Interim operator, Your Leisure, is allowing Tides Sports Hall and Indoor Tennis Centre to remain open while work continues at the Park Avenue site.

However, a tendering process remains ongoing for a future operator for the facility, which will be renamed Deal Leisure Centre.

Once chosen, it will begin long-term operations from April 2026 for dryside facilities ahead of a full opening a year later.

DDC bosses say details will be finalised in the coming weeks when the new operator is awarded the contract and formally announced.

Council leader Kevin Mills says demolition is just the latest phase of the exciting project.

The Labour representative for Buckland ward explained: “We are delighted to have given the go-ahead for the construction to start on this major new investment for Deal.

“A brand-new leisure centre with modern facilities will be a welcome addition for all residents to enjoy.

“We have consulted with residents and worked hard to accommodate their feedback.

“This centre is affordable and meets the needs of all in our community who want to stay fit and well.

“We are pleased to be able to deliver this exciting project despite the numerous challenges we’ve faced in recent years.”

Tides was drained and closed to the public on March 16 this year, having been said to have reached the end of its life.

The facility had been home to a wave pool, several slides and a flume, but all will be removed as part of the makeover.

Councillors previously said it was more cost-effective to have a new build for the pool rather than refurbish the existing one.

And striking images have already revealed how the revamped leisure centre will look after plans for its £20 million makeover were approved.

Speaking at August’s planning committee, Rebecca Tilley of planning agents DHA Planning, said the “modern, high-quality facility” will “better serve Deal’s residents”.

She explained: “Redevelopment is not only essential to safeguard continued access to leisure services, but to deliver an improvement in the quality of community health and wellbeing infrastructure in the area.

“While the new facility differs in some respects from the existing centre, it represents a significant improvement and has been developed to provide a balanced, inclusive and future-proof offering.”

Overall, residents had lodged 133 comments on DDC’s planning portal, with 76 in support and 55 opposing it before councillors voted to approve the scheme.

Previously, dry-side facilities were also proposed to be temporarily closed while work took place on the rebuild, but fierce backlash from residents, including a 1,100-strong petition against the move, forced a rethink by DDC.