Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Gravesham Borough Council for the pre-construction phase of the new £43m Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend through a direct award via the Pagabo framework.

The company will work alongside project architects Space & Place and engineering consultants Atkins-Realis to develop the technical design and specification for the new low-carbon leisure facility, which will replace the existing ageing centre with a modern building capable of hosting regional events and providing an enhanced family-fun offer.

Gravesham Borough Council selected Willmott Dixon and its design team following their successful delivery of the nearby Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham for Medway Council – the first new council-built sports centre in Medway for over 30 years, which opened in 2024 and features similar facilities including 25m and leisure pools with high sustainability standards.

The centre will include a 25m pool, 17m learner pool, an aqua play and water flume area, along with a spectator viewing area. There will also be a sports hall with six courts and tiered seating, a multi-level soft play zone, party and community rooms and a café, all on the ground floor.

The project is being partly funded through £17m from the government's £20m Levelling Up Fund allocation to Gravesham Borough Council, supporting a 'hub and spoke' model to improve health, wellbeing, employment and skills across the borough.

During the pre-construction phase, which runs until August 2026, Willmott Dixon will undertake detailed site surveys, logistics planning and site set-up works. The company will also conduct an asbestos survey of Regan's Bar ahead of its demolition later this year, while ensuring the existing Cascades Leisure Centre remains operational throughout construction.

Richard Poulter, Willmott Dixon's managing director in the South:

"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."

The pre-construction contract positions Willmott Dixon to progress to main contractor appointment in August 2026, with construction due for completion in December 2028. The new facility will deliver significant environmental benefits as part of the council's commitment to low-carbon infrastructure.

As part of the agreement, Willmott Dixon has committed to achieving social and economic benefits for Gravesham's residents and businesses during the pre-construction phase, including targets for local jobs, supply chain support, and engagement with schools and colleges.

The project represents continued growth in Willmott Dixon's leisure sector portfolio, following recent decarbonisation work for North Hertfordshire Council on three leisure centres in Hitchin, Royston and Letchworth, and previous projects for Oxford City Council that achieved a 56% reduction in CO₂ emissions.