Construction work on the £20m investment by Sevenoaks District Council to deliver a state-of-the-art, energy efficient new White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley commenced in May 2020. District Councillor Lesley Dyball, giving a progress report this week, claimed “Significant progress has been made to date. The main steel frame is in position and work to clad the structure has commenced. It’s exciting to see that the building is really starting to take shape”.
Councillor Dyball went on to explain “Now that work on the main roof is also complete, internal works can now progress on the various areas. This will deliver a welcome variety of facilities, including a 100+ station fitness gym, a sports hall, multi-use studios for classes, a soft play area and a TAGactive* arena”
The pool area has already been tanked to provide a 6 lane swimming pool with a movable floor and a separate learner pool, and this week sees the final pour of the ground floor which will mark an exciting milestone for the build.
Councillor Dyball continued “We expect work to be completed late in 2021/early 2022 and, when the new White Oak Leisure Centre opens its doors, work will then commence on demolishing the old leisure centre which has served its users well for the past 50+ years”.
She reminded residents that at the same time as the new leisure centre is being built, Sevenoaks District Council is funding improvement works at the nearby Orchards Academy to upgrade its sports hall enabling its use by local sports clubs requiring a larger hall space.
*Those who are unfamiliar with this activity, which provides exciting, competitive exercise, should see: https://www.tagactive.co.uk/products/tagactivearena.html
