Plans for the construction of a new leisure centre in Canvey Island, Essex, have been unveiled by developer Skanska as part of the local Building Schools for the Future programme.

The group, which was appointed by Castle Point Borough Council (CPBC) to deliver new schools for the area, has also submitted a draft proposal to replace Waterside Farm Leisure Centre with a new facility. Plans are currently at a conceptual stage but will include a 25m swimming pool, a sports hall, a fitness suite and an all-weather football facility with a combination of indoor and outdoor 3G pitches.

A café and a crèche are also earmarked as part of the development, which will be considered by the council to see whether it is affordable. Residents are also due to be consulted on the scheme. Meanwhile, a £2.5m programme of improvements to local leisure facilities is now underway with a £136,000 scheme to allow The Paddocks, Canvey Island, to become a wedding venue – subject to receiving the necessary licence.

Work will start on a £724,000 project to repair and upgrade facilities at Runnymede Hall in July, while maintenance work is also scheduled for Woodside Hall at the same time. Waterside Farm Leisure Centre is due to undergo a £1.3m refurbishment, but CPBC confirmed that it would only go ahead if Skanska's plans for a new-build facility were considered unaffordable.