Beachfields construction underway

New health and leisure facilities, activities and even more family fun will soon be coming to Sheerness.  

Construction work to renovate and expand the healthy living centre in Beachfields is now underway as part of Swale Borough Council’s Sheerness Revival project.

The start of the work began with the swing of a sledgehammer at a groundbreaking event on Friday 23 May, which marked the start of the construction phase of the council’s £14 million regeneration project, part of the £20 million funding received from UK Government.  

Sheerness Revival will see the creation of a modern and expanded GP facility, new and improved leisure provision and a purpose-built space for a local health and wellbeing charity.  

The existing surgery is being moved to the ground floor, with a new accessible toilet and additional consultation room installed to increase the capacity and accessibility of this important healthcare facility.

There will also be a new specially ventilated and sterile treatment room allowing the general practitioners to perform minor surgeries, such as biopsies, without needing to refer patients elsewhere.  

Sheppey Matters, an award-winning health and well-being charity based in the Sheppey Healthy Living Centre, will have a purpose-built space to help them continue providing their valuable and important services to locals, further boosting the health benefits of the project.  

Leisure facilities within the centre will also be upgraded, including a new adventure play area and tag active - a fun modern activity for kids (and grown-ups!) to get exercise while taking on an obstacle course.

The existing gym facilities are being expanded and refurbished to help people keep fit and healthy, and users will be able to relax after their workout in a new cafe area.

The Innerva gym - equipment to support movement and aid fitness for those who need assistance or have long term health conditions - will move across from the current pool building.

This will bring all of the dry side facilities together and provide gym users with ready access to the range of incredible facilities.

The project will also improve the surrounding outside space by installing a multi-use games area and an outdoor gym, refurbishing the tennis court, a retouch of the paddling pool area – including new toilets and a café hatch - and by improving the sites general accessibility and connectivity.

There will also be a Sheppey-themed adventure golf course opening soon where you can test your golfing skills against scorpions, a clocktower and the wreck of the SS Montgomery.  

Sheerness Revival is a £20 million regeneration project, funded by the UK Government, which is aiming to improve the health, education, leisure and employment opportunities on the Isle of Sheppey.

In addition to the works at Beachfields, the Sheppey College is being extended and the education provision enhanced, while Masters House is getting new makers huts where young entrepreneurs can kick start their businesses.  

Cllr Monique Bonney chair of the Economy and Property Committee, said:  

“There has been an incredible amount of work going on in the background and it is exciting that we will finally be able to see it take shape as the construction works at the leisure centre begin.

“There’s already good progress with the Sheppey College expansion, the metal frame has gone up and it’s helping people see how Sheerness Revival will have a positive long-lasting impact in Sheerness.

“This project isn’t just about more leisure provision, we are trying to tackle several issues the Island faces – helping to boost education, health and employability alongside all of the fun things like Tag active and the adventure golf!

“We look forward to seeing the construction work kick off so this project can start benefiting the people of Sheerness and the Isle of Sheppey - with new health facilities, the free outdoor gym, and so much more.”
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