RAMSGATE POOL PLANS APPROVED

Plans for a new swimming pool and spa at Ramsgate Sports Centre have been given the go ahead by Thanet District Council.

The proposals were approved today (Friday 10 December) by the council’s Cabinet, with work expected to begin on the project in spring 2011. A new building located next door to the existing sports centre would house a six lane, 25 metre deck level pool, along with a separate training pool. A new spa facility would also be built, offering four treatment rooms, hydro pool, steam room, sauna, salt grotto, power showers and foot spa. New wet changing facilities, new entrance and café area are also included in the scheme.

The council will act as a loan guarantor for Thanet Leisure Force for the £3.48 million scheme. The council had originally agreed in 2008 to put money from property sales towards the building of a new pool in Ramsgate, after local people said they wanted to see pools kept in both Ramsgate and Margate. However, with the downturn in the property market, the council has had to look at different ways of delivering the scheme that can pay for itself.

Work on the project is expected to be managed by Alliance Leisure, who have already completed 85 successful projects in the UK, including the improvements to Hartsdown Leisure Centre in Margate.

Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “This will be a great addition to Ramsgate and one that I know will be warmly welcomed by local residents, who were very clear that they wanted a new pool in the town. We know that the existing pool is old and tired and, if we don’t take action now, we could end up facing huge maintenance bills in the future. This scheme will bring together two major sporting facilities on one site in Ramsgate. Introducing a spa into the mix will ensure that Ramsgate Sports Centre has facilities to rival the private sector and will significantly improve the service for everyone who uses the pool or sports centre. I look forward to seeing the work getting underway and Ramsgate enjoying the same level of improvements that have already been seen at Hartsdown Leisure Centre.”

The new pool and spa could be open as early as spring 2012.