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Decision to close sports hall and tennis courts at Tides Leisure Centre in Deal to be reviewed by Dover District Council’s cabinet

A nine-month closure of a popular leisure centre will be reviewed next week after a council heard of the “devastating” impact it could have on residents.

Dover District Council (DDC) announced earlier this month how all facilities at Tides Leisure Centre in Deal will close on April 1 as the lease for the current operator is due to end.

Tides Leisure Centre in Deal is set for a £20 million refurbishment
Tides Leisure Centre in Deal is set for a £20 million refurbishment

It means the sports hall, swimming pool and adjoining tennis courts are all set to stay shut until January 2026 when a new operator is due to take over.

Come the new year, only the hall and tennis courts are due to reopen, as work would then continue on a £20 million refurbishment scheme of the swimming pool and gym, which is expected to be completed in summer 2027.

But the decision to temporarily close the hall and courts has been met with backlash from groups using the facilities, with more than 1,100 people signing a petition against the move.

Members of DDC’s overview and scrutiny committee heard from sports clubs on Monday night after DDC’s Conservative group ‘called in’ the decision.

Councillors unanimously voted to refer it back to cabinet, urging the authority’s Labour leaders to “review all options” available to keep the sports hall and tennis facilities open.

Parents, pupils and coaches from East Kent Acro Gymnastics are calling for DDC to rethink the closure
Parents, pupils and coaches from East Kent Acro Gymnastics are calling for DDC to rethink the closure

It means the plan will be discussed again by the authority’s cabinet on Monday (February 3) before any action is taken.

Peter Tullo, chairman of Walmer Lawn and Tennis Croquet Club, spoke at the meeting about the effect the closure would have on the club.

He said the site, which is currently run by Your Leisure, is a “great place”.

“Tennis is a growing sport and we are disappointed the indoor facility will close,” he said. “I certainly understand the reason behind it and I have learned a lot which I am grateful for, but it would be great if we could continue.

“Tennis, unlike badminton, can be played outside so we are working towards that and we do have outdoor courts and in Walmer we have grass courts, but that doesn't start until May.

“It would be good for my members to know that, come January, the councillors will put pressure on the new operator to make sure it does open in January and that does not slip.”

Peter Tullo, of Walmer Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
Peter Tullo, of Walmer Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Kelly Siadatan, head coach at East Kent Acro Gymnastics club, made an emotional plea to councillors to find a solution.

“We have been around for 40 years and we have been at Tides for 20 years yet we found out that we would be closing in three months in an email,” she explained.

“We already looked at alternative venues during Covid and found our club cannot train elsewhere, we have storage needs that come with gymnastics. We have equipment that needs to be brought in and out every session.

“Yes, we do need a new swimming pool, however I always said at every point throughout the consultation that at no point can the sports hall close.

“I was promised this wouldn't happen and the parents can't believe we have been thrown under the bus.

"The bottom line is if this shuts, we will fold as a club.

Head coach Kelly Siadatan and coach Leah Barnes from East Kent Acro Gymnastics Club
Head coach Kelly Siadatan and coach Leah Barnes from East Kent Acro Gymnastics Club

“To think the club of over 40 years could fold purely on this decision, there must be something that can be done.“

Ron Condon, founder of the Deal Badminton Club, says moving for nine months would have a “severe impact on the group”, which has about 20 members.

“We have looked around for various alternatives so we are really quite stuck for an alternative and it will have a severe effect on us,” he said.

“The sports centre and the tennis centre are very much separate to the building and although we do applaud the rebuilding of the new pool, it would be easy to get things going if there is a will to make it happen.

“It would help us a great deal to help keep the retired people of Deal fit and healthy.”

Cllr Charlotte Zosseder (Lab), DDC’s portfolio holder for community and corporate property, apologised to those impacted by the decision but explained there were reasons why it has happened this way.

She said: “Unfortunately, we were unable to make direct contact with clubs and users prior to cabinet making the decision partly because Your Leisure runs the bookings so we don’t keep information on the clubs here.

“But also because it would have been unfair and inappropriate for members of the public to hear about Tides closing before the staff did.

“We have to make sure the staff are looked after as well. Before the cabinet meeting (earlier this month) officers undertook desk-based research to put together lists of alternative providers.

“They have been working really hard to support organisations.

“I'm really sorry if some have not been able to find anything suitable but I know they will continue to work hard to find something suitable.”

She reassured groups the reopening will be set in the new operator's contract for January and will not be able to be pushed back.

Under the overhaul of the centre, a new six-lane pool, toddler splash zone, and bigger gym are set to be created.

However, the complex’s current slides will not be replaced.

DDC’s cabinet will meet at 6pm on Monday at the council chamber in Whitfield.

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