The first pictures have been released showing the inside of a newly revamped leisure centre.

Ashford's Stour Centre will reopen on Tuesday, June 1 following almost a year-long closure for construction work.

Though the swimming pools will remain closed for now due to newly identified issues, visitors will be able to enjoy a new soft play area, climbing walls and an extended gym.

The £7.5 million project has also seen a more modern reception installed, as well as a Costa Coffee outlet and seating area.

New pool features are also coming to the centre once the pool reopens.

It was in June last year that the plan was revealed, with outrage from staff who hadn't known about the potential closure until KentOnline published an article.

A month later, the scheme and closure were approved and work quickly began, with 115 members of staff losing their jobs.

Additions to the plan were made as late as April 21, when a new canopy was permitted for the entrance.

Details announced today include pricings for the new features.

The soft play area, which will be restricted to ages 0 to 12, will be run in hour-long session.

Under 1s can join sessions for free, one- to four-year-olds for £4.50, and five- to 12-year-olds for £6.50.

The climbing walls will be available for all ages, and groups of up to six will be able to use them in 90 minute booking slots.

During the 90 minutes, visitors will get a safety briefing as well as being harnessed.

News of the reopening has been welcomed by users of the facility - which underwent a £17m revamp in the 2000s - as well as parents.

Another person excited about the announcement is Damian Green.

The Ashford MP said: "This improves Ashford's leisure offer hugely.

"You have to keep centres like the Stour Centre up-to-date - I can remember the last revamp in the mid-2000s, it was inconvenient at the time but it came back much better than before and I'm sure it will do again.

"In a way it's been a useful coincidence that it's coincided with a time when a lot of indoor exercise has been banned anyway.

"The fact that as we're all being unlocked, the Stour Centre's also being unlocked, is fabulous news for the town."

Speaking about the lack of swimming pools upon reopening, he added: "It is a shame, I know a lot of people love swimming and use it as their main form of exercise and is a very good form of exercise.

"So the sooner people can get back to swimming at the centre the better."

In details released this week, it was revealed the works have actually cost £1 million more than the £6.5 million that had been originally anticipated.

For more information or to join the centre as a member, click here.

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