A sports club which has been taken over by a major health and fitness chain is to undergo a major transformation later this year.
The newly-named David Lloyd Gillingham Club, formerly Avenue Tennis, is being turned into a state-of-the-art gym with a heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
Newly-named David Lloyd Gillingham aims to attract families to the new swimming pool
And now padel courts, so members can enjoy the world’s fastest-growing sport, alongside a hydrotherapy pool have been included in the plan.
Proposals for the site in Featherby Road are subject to approval from Medway Council – and if they do get the go-ahead, up to 30 jobs could be created.
When David Lloyd took over in January, bosses boasted they would take facilities to “the next level”.
The centrepiece of the new club would be the 100-plus station gym, with cutting-edge machines and equipment.
Bespoke group exercise studios would host high-energy workouts with yoga, Pilates, cycling and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes.
Padel, the world’s fastest-growing sport, could be coming to David Lloyd GillinghamAvenue Tennis in Featherby Road, Gillingham, has become a David Lloyd. Picture: Google
There’s an aim to attract more families with swimming and tennis coaching for children, after-school and holiday clubs and a creche for little ones.
Sam Dudgeon, general manager at David Lloyd Gillingham, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring the full David Lloyd Clubs experience to Gillingham, and to introduce a complete health, wellness and leisure offering for the local community.
“We asked members what they would like to see from our redevelopment plans, and we recognise there is strong demand for swimming and spa facilities, an expanded gym and new padel courts.
“We’re looking forward to creating a welcoming destination where members of all ages can exercise, relax and spend quality time together.
A luxury spa retreat is planned for David Lloyd Gillingham
“Our planning application is an important milestone for David Lloyd Clubs as we continue to invest in Kent, with Gillingham being our sixth club in the region.”
Commenting previously on the handover, owner of Avenue Tennis, Colin Jarvis, said: “We designed and built Avenue with hard work, commitment and pride and to give something back to Medway and our members.
“I am confident David Lloyd Clubs will respect what has been built here and take it to an even higher level.”
Existing staff were kept on following the acquisition as the gym joins its portfolio of 137 clubs across Europe.