Demolition of swimming pool at Tides Leisure Centre in Deal brought forward due to public safety fears

An ageing leisure centre’s pool building is to be demolished earlier than planned for public safety, council bosses say.

The facility at Tides Leisure Centre in Deal was closed and drained of water on March 16 as the first step in the major overhaul planned for the site.

But it has since been the target of break-ins and it is feared it could be a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

It was meant to be knocked down next winter but officers have now recommended it happens this summer.

Dover District Council’s (DDC’s) cabinet on Monday heard there had already been two break-ins shortly after the pool’s closure and holiday periods attracted more anti-social behaviour.

Cabinet member Cllr Charlotte Zosseder (Ind) told the meeting: “It’s a matter of public safety. We were lucky that the two break-ins we had did minimal damage and the public weren’t hurt.

“We’ve just got to go ahead with it.”

The cabinet heard that after the break-ins a security guard and dog were used over two weeks in the Easter school holiday, adding up to £3,500 for 12-hour night shifts.

The adjacent disused nursery building has also been targeted by vandals.

After that, council officials monitored the site but officers said costs of security would still mount up over holiday times along with the risk to public safety.

Authority bosses say knocking down the pool building and adjacent former Park Avenue Nursery will cost £600,000.

As well as the pool, Tides Leisure Centre is home to a gym, sports centre and tennis courts.

The dry facilities remain open at the site in Park Avenue.

The planned renovation project is expected to cost more than £20 million.

It is estimated to take two years, with a six-lane pool planned as well as a new gym and toddler splash pad.

Demolition can take place as permitted development, which means it can start without the need to apply for planning permission.

Otherwise a full planning application for the new development is expected in the next month.

The Tides pool was opened in 1988 by Carry On films and EastEnders actress Barbara Windsor.