Additional reporting by Oliver Leader

Refurbished tennis courts and an upgraded water play area have been unveiled at an “iconic” leisure park’s reopening.

The Strand Riverside Park and Lido in Gillingham hosted a grand opening event for the new facilities on Saturday (May 24).

The SplashPad play area includes more than 30 ground-level sensor-activated water jets.

The beach-themed water feature was designed and installed by specialist contractors Fountaineers and is suitable for children aged between three and 11 years old.

Work to refurbish the four tennis courts at The Strand has also now been completed.

Following an investment by the government and LTA Tennis Foundation, they have undergone a £170,000 refurbishment.

This also includes four tennis courts in Maidstone Road, Chatham.

Gillingham MP Naushabah Khan said: “We care passionately about this area, although there are people out there who say Gillingham has got its challenges, which I don’t disagree with, there are so many people who are passionate and care.

“The record investment we’ve seen in The Strand is a starting point for what I hope is a wider regeneration and programme of delivery across Gillingham.

“The Strand has always been a great place for families, and I absolutely loved it when I came here as a kid.

“But what I did see over the years was a decline – when I was growing up, there were new facilities, but after that the investment stopped, it stalled, and what we now see is that opportunity again for the next generation.

“To walk around here and see the lido up and running, the train going around, the new fantastic tennis courts, and the splash pad just shows how important Gillingham is to everyone in this community”.

Andy Chandler, trustee for Kent Tennis, says the refurbished courts will mean the sport is more “accessible” in the area.

He explained: “They can come here and they’ll have free tennis on a Saturday or Sunday for an hour and they can start their tennis journey here.”

Harri Izzad, from the Lawn Tennis Association, added: “Health and wellbeing are really important for young children now. Parents are looking for things to do that don’t cost too much money.

“Hopefully, the refurbished courts will increase the participation in our sport across the Medway towns.”

Council leader Vince Maple said: “We’ve had not one but two new facilities opened and, of course, the reopening of the much-loved lido.

“The Strand is at the heart of so many people’s lives, and to be able to bring it up to the next generation is great.

“We’re not going to be able to change everything overnight, but our administration has really prioritised this.”

The refurbishment was done using £248,283 of section 106 money, cash stumped up through contributions from housing developers to Medway Council in mitigation for projects.

However, it’s use has not been without controversy.

Freedom of Information requests submitted by KentOnline previously revealed issues with such money getting to where it was initially intended.

As of December, Medway held £4million of S106 cash for schools and education, £3.1million for community centres and museums, and £5.3million for open spaces.

Speaking to the LDRS at the relaunch of the splash park, Cllr Maple said: “We will spend section 106 money responsibly and as quickly as possible.

“There are sometimes circumstances where to get access to that funding the developer needs to sell a certain number of houses.

“So it’s never a kind of one-size fits all.”