Dover District Council and its partners marked the completion of the new building’s highest point on Tuesday 27 October. Construction is due to be completed before the end of 2027.
A topping out ceremony was held on Tuesday 27 October 2026 to mark the completion of the highest point of the new Deal Leisure Centre, a £20 million development that will replace the Tides Leisure Centre in Deal. Representatives of Dover District Council, development partner Alliance Leisure, construction contractor Pellikaan, and future operator Everyone Active attended the event, and guests were invited to sign the steel frame of the new building. Those present included the Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Susan Beer, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Deal, Cllr Mike Eddy and Christine Oliver.
What the new centre will include
The new leisure centre is planned to offer a six-lane pool, a gym, health and fitness studios including a Reformer Studio, pool inflatable fun sessions, a toddler splash pad and a café. Accessibility provision will include a new platform lift and a Changing Places facility.
What happens next
The project has passed several milestones since it was confirmed to go ahead in October 2025. In November 2025 the council announced that Everyone Active would manage the leisure centre on opening and would take on long-term operation of the indoor tennis centre and sports hall from April 2026. A groundbreaking ceremony followed in March 2026. Construction is due to be completed before the end of 2027, with Everyone Active set to take on management of the new centre when it opens.
Cllr Kevin Mills, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We are delighted to see this topping out ceremony taking place, and to celebrate the excellent progress made on the construction of the new leisure centre in Deal. This is fantastic news and a brand new leisure centre with modern facilities is a major investment for our community.”
Further information is available at www.new-deal-leisure-centre.co.uk. Kent Local News covered the start of construction earlier this year.
Sources
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