Willmott Dixon starts preliminary work on Gravesend’s new Cascades Leisure Centre

11 February 2026 – Work is set to begin on site this spring for Gravesend’s new Cascades Leisure Centre, marking the start of a major transformation for the borough.

Gravesham Borough Council and Willmott Dixon are moving forward with early site activity that will prepare the ground for construction of the new low-carbon leisure facility. Demolition works will commence in early spring, clearing space for the new centre and readying the site for setup.

The new Cascades Leisure Centre will replace the existing ageing facility with a modern building designed to host regional events and provide an enhanced family fun offer. Plans include a 25m pool, 17m learner pool, aqua play and water flume area, spectator seating, a six-court sports hall, multi-level soft play zone, party and community rooms, and a café.

Willmott Dixon was first announced as the council’s construction partner in September 2025, when it was appointed for the pre-construction phase via a direct award through the Pagabo framework.

Richard Poulter, Willmott Dixon’s managing director in the South, said: “This is an exciting moment because people will start to see activity on site. The new leisure centre will be an outstanding facility for the local community, combining sustainability with exceptional family-friendly spaces.”

Cllr John Burden, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said: “After two years in the planning, and following extensive lobbying supported by our local MP Lauren Sullivan to secure government funding for this project, this will be a landmark day for the borough. Regular users of Cascades will testify that it is at the end of its natural life, and a modern, energy-efficient replacement is needed.

“To see shovels in the ground on site after all the hard work to get to this point will be tremendously rewarding.”

Lauren Sullivan MP added: “After a long journey it was great to see the start of this fantastic work on a brand-new regional sports and leisure centre for the people of Gravesham and beyond. This has been achieved through a working partnership between Gravesham Borough Council and the government, who have funded this. With Willmott Dixon as the construction partners – I look forward to seeing the project grow and develop into a fantastic community facility for the borough.”

Demonstrating Leisure Sector Expertise

The appointment builds on Willmott Dixon’s position as a leading specialist in leisure facility delivery, with the company having completed more than 160 leisure facilities in the past decade, including 108 swimming pools. The company’s proven track record with project architects Space & Place on the nearby Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham, the first new council-built sports centre in Medway for over 30 years, was a key factor in the council’s selection, alongside recent decarbonisation work for North Hertfordshire Council on three leisure centres in Hitchin, Royston and Letchworth.

Community Investment and Social Value

Alongside the construction works, Willmott Dixon is committed to delivering meaningful social value in Gravesham, supporting the council’s ambitions for healthier, safer and more resilient communities. This will include hiring local employees, providing extensive training for local management trainees, and offering student work placements in targeted postcode areas. Hundreds of hours of career mentoring will be delivered to both young people and adults, while Willmott Dixon team members will engage directly with local schools through talks and curriculum support.

In addition, £5,000 will be contributed to community projects through the Gravesham Community Pot, and employees will volunteer their time to local initiatives, including hospice events and community walks.

The start of site activity in the spring marks a significant milestone in the journey towards completion of the new leisure centre in 2028, ensuring Gravesham residents will benefit from modern, sustainable facilities for generations to come.