Social enterprise Places for People Leisure has been awarded a 12-year management contract for the new Dover District Leisure Centre.

The operator sealed the deal following a competitive tender process, with the £26m facility due to open in early 2019.

Construction of the centre started earlier this month, including a competition-standard eight-lane pool with spectator seating for 250 people, learner pool with movable floor, four court sports hall, 120-station fitness suite, squash courts, multifunction room, fitness studios, clip ‘n’ climb wall and a café. There will also be two outdoor 3G artificial pitches for five-a-side football.

Sandra Dodd, chief executive of Places for People Leisure, said: “We’re looking forward to working in close partnership with Dover District Council and local partners, to ensure we offer a diverse range of activities and opportunities that inspire all members of the community to participate in a love of physical activity.”

Places for People Leisure, which manages more than 100 facilities for local authorities in the UK, will take over the running of the existing Dover Leisure Centre on Townwall Street from April 2018, which will remain open until the new facility at Whitfield opens.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, cabinet member for Property at Dover District Council, said: “We were impressed with Places for People’s credentials, not just in operating a first-class leisure centre but also their commitment to engaging more people in healthier, more active lifestyles.

“By bringing Places for People on-board now we can work with them throughout the build and commissioning phases, and ensure a smooth transition from the old to the new.”

Your Leisure will continue to manage the Tides Leisure and Indoor Tennis Centre in Deal.

“We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Your Leisure as operators of Tides and the Indoor Tennis Centre at Deal,” Cllr Bartlett said. “I would like to thank them for their stewardship of the existing Dover Leisure Centre for the past 17 years.”