Plans for a new modern family-friendly sports centre in Rainham have taken a step forward.
Yesterday (Tuesday, 7 June), councillors at our Cabinet meeting agreed to recommend that Full Council approve an addition of £12.850million to the Splashes Redevelopment Scheme in the council’s Capital Programme, to enable the development of a new sports centre. Full Council is expected to discuss the addition at its meeting next month.
Designs for a state-of-the-art modern, family-friendly sports centre in Medway were unveiled for the former Splashes site in Rainham earlier this year.
The proposals include two swimming pools – a training pool for lane swimming and lessons, as well as a children’s fun pool with flume, wave ball pool and beach area. There will also be a fitness gym and room for exercise classes and children’s parties.
The new facility is proposed to have a modern, family-friendly look and feel, including family and accessible changing rooms. The plans for the new centre support Medway’s ambition to become a child-friendly city, providing further opportunities for the area’s young people.
The proposed new sports centre will provide a full experience for customers – visit the gym, join-in a class, take a dip in the pool and afterwards relax in the café overlooking the pool areas.
The designs also include electric charging parking spaces, as part of Medway’s Climate Change and carbon neutral aims and ambitions.
Residents still have the opportunity to formally provide feedback on the plans through Medway Council’s planning application, open until Wednesday, 22 June. The designs were on display in May at two public exhibitions at Rainham Library and Twydall Library.
The plans are due to be discussed by Medway Council’s Planning Committee later this month.
State-of-the-art sports centre
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “I am delighted that Cabinet has agreed to recommend that Full Council approves the funding to build a new, family-friendly, state-of-the-art sports centre in Rainham. The proposed sports centre would provide high-quality facilities for Medway’s families to enjoy and would complement our superb existing sport and leisure offer. The new centre would also support our aspiration to make Medway even more child-friendly.”