Olympic medallist Colin Jackson officially opens new £20 million White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley
Sporting star Colin Jackson was on hand to help unveil a town's new £20 million leisure centre following a regeneration project.
The Olympic medallist attended the opening of the new White Oak leisure centre in Hilda May Avenue, Swanley this weekend.
It marked the launch of the new-look centre which is replace the existing suite, based on the same site.
The new White Oak centre features a 25m six lane swimming pool, 100-station gym and fitness suite, two exercise studios, cycling studio, and a sports hall and TAGactive, a brand new interactive gaming activity.
Other features include TAGactive, a brand new interactive gaming activity and 140 space car park and coach drop-off point.
The centre officially opened to the public on Saturday at an event which saw more than 10,000 people attend free taster events.
This included a "Big Splash" day, a rookie lifeguard course and "dive and glide" sessions.
Colin Jackson was joined by Britain’s Got Talent star Jamie Knight who was taking part in a freestyle football activity, for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
White Oak is being managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Sevenoaks council.
The leisure operator says 358 people have now signed up for membership and more than 1700 people have registered for TAGactive.
Built in the 1960s and extended in the 1970s, the old centre was deemed to be coming to the end of its life and too expensive to run.
But criticisms were levelled at the replacement leisure complex which was approved last year and saw some clubs relocated.
Up to 40 apartments will also be attached to the site as part of the final phase, varying between one, two and three-bedroom flats.
During its passage through planning, councillors also agreed funding for sports hall improvements at the nearby Orchards Academy.
Speaking ahead of the new centre's launch, Cllr Lesley Dyball, Sevenoaks council’s cabinet member for people and places, said: “The new White Oak Leisure Centre is the council’s biggest capital investment in a generation and an important milestone in Swanley’s regeneration.
"The town now has a fantastic, modern, energy-efficient leisure centre the whole community can be proud of with exciting new activities, including Tag Active, a swimming pool with a movable floor and a state-of-the-art gym.
She added: “We have also provided funding to Orchards Academy and are continuing to work with them to improve their sports hall facilities for community use”.