Gravesham Borough Council has appointed construction firm Willmott Dixon to lead the pre-construction phase of the £43 million Cascades Leisure Centre redevelopment in Gravesend.

The contract was awarded directly through the Pagabo framework.

The company will work alongside architects Space & Place and engineering consultants Atkins-Realis to finalise the technical design and specification for the new low-carbon leisure facility. The centre will replace the existing Cascades building with a modern venue designed to host regional events and offer an expanded family-focused programme.

The appointment follows Willmott Dixon's successful delivery of the Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham, which opened in 2024. Built for Medway Council, the Cozenton project was the first new council-developed sports centre in Medway for more than three decades and set a benchmark with its 25m and leisure pools and high sustainability standards.

Plans for the new Cascades include a 25m swimming pool, a 17m learner pool, aqua play and water flume facilities, plus a dedicated spectator viewing area. The ground floor will also feature a six-court sports hall with tiered seating, a soft play zone, party and community rooms, and a café.

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The scheme is supported by £17 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, part of a £20 million allocation to Gravesham Borough Council aimed at improving health, wellbeing, skills and employment opportunities across the borough.

Pre-construction work, which runs until August 2026, will include site surveys, logistics planning and site preparation. Willmott Dixon will also carry out an asbestos survey on Regan’s Bar before its demolition later this year, ensuring the existing Cascades centre remains open throughout construction.

Richard Poulter, Willmott Dixon’s managing director in the South, said: "We are proud to be working in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council to help shape the future of leisure provision in the borough. This appointment marks a key step forward in bringing the vision for a modern, low-carbon, and inclusive Cascades Leisure Centre to life.

"Our proven track record with Space & Place on Cozenton Park Sports Centre, which delivered a state-of-the-art facility for Medway Council, demonstrates our ability to create modern leisure centres that combine sustainability with exceptional family-friendly facilities. We look forward to replicating this success in Gravesend.

"Our team is committed to delivering not only high-quality design and construction expertise, but also meaningful social value through jobs, skills development, and community engagement. We look forward to helping create a facility that supports the health and wellbeing of local people for generations to come."

Willmott Dixon is expected to move from the pre-construction phase to main contractor appointment in August 2026, with construction scheduled for completion in December 2028.

The council said the project will also deliver wider social and economic benefits, with commitments to create local jobs, support the supply chain, and work with schools and colleges during development.