Council bosses say "doing nothing is not an option" as plans to revitalise an ageing leisure centre are set to finally move forward this year.

Tides in Deal has been considered for redevelopment since 2020 but the pandemic delayed any further progress.

Questions have since been raised over when the scheme might come forward and now chiefs at Dover District Council (DDC) say an update is expected in the coming months.

The authority had planned to tear down the current Tides building to build a new centre with a £25m pool, and held a public consultation last year.

Few updates have since been announced by DDC but new leader Cllr Kevin Mills (Lab) says the project is set to move forward.

"It is hoped that for the cabinet meeting in November officers will give updates on feasible options," he told KentOnline.

“However, doing nothing is not an option for the people of Deal.”

The update comes after the DDC Labour Group responded to a tweet from a resident asking "whatever happened to the new leisure centre we were promised in Deal?”

In response, the Labour group - which has taken control of the council following the May local elections - said: "We are working on some options to put to councillors as soon as.”

The original plan was to replace the existing leisure centre in Park Avenue, which has a deteriorating pool plant and equipment.

It was built in 1987 and formally opened by Carry On films and EastEnders actress Barbara Windsor the following year.

Consultants recommended that it was more cost effective to have a newly-built centre rather than refurbish the existing one.

Plans detailed in the run-up to the public consultation last year included replacing the current wave pool with one of 25 metres and four lanes.

The fitness suite would also be expanded from 40 stations to 110.

The scheme also included a toning studio, consultation room and spin studio for exercise bikes, as Tides currently has none of these.

The car park only has 122 spaces but that was earmarked to increase to between 150 and 175.

The existing indoor tennis centre and four-court sports hall, which opened in 2005 and 2011 respectively and are still in good condition, would be kept.

The project was budgeted at £24.8 million.

Proposals were first announced in February 2020 but the scheme was stopped in its tracks by the first lockdowns of the pandemic and continuing effects.

But in a council survey, 91% of the 600-plus residents commenting said they would support a new leisure centre.

Members of the public in Deal asked by KentOnline were in favour of a new site.

Sharon Stewart, from the town, said: "It wouldn't hurt to revamp Tides.

“I was a member until the pandemic when everything had to close.

“I did classes such as aquasize.

"But Deal needs some kind of sports centre, which could be used by older people too.

"It would be missed if there wasn't one."

Judi Down added: "It would be great and would stop people having to go to Whitfield or Sandwich.

“We should still have a leisure centre in Deal, definitely."

Ann Ford, of Sutton-by-Dover, said "It would be a good idea to replace Tides.

“I used to swim there regularly. People in this town need a centre like that."

Rosalind Oliver, of Deal, said: "I think it is needed.

“It would give people something to do and it doesn't hurt to get people to learn to swim.

“I don't use Tides but it would be good for kids.

"We would need a place that is not too pricey."

Deal Town Council says it “welcomes” the update on Tides and “looks forward to DDC consulting with us”.