The Pavilion Sports and Social Club in Swanscombe to be demolished and replaced with £4m community hub

A rundown sports pavilion is set to be demolished and a new £4 million sports facility built in its place.

Opened in 1969, The Pavilion Community Sports and Social Club, in The Grove, Swanscombe, is “coming to the end of its life expectancy” and owner Karen Melbourne-Dowse has been forced to hand back the keys.

Karen, from Swanscombe, has run the Pavilion for the past 10 years alongside her full-time job as a nurse at Darent Valley Hospital.

She said: “I have to say the time has flown by. After 10 years of trying to ensure the Pavilion remained open for the community it’s sad they no longer have anywhere to go until the new build.

“But I am looking forward to my time to do things I have put off because of running the Pavilion.”

The 64-year-old has many fond memories and listed some of the highlights.

“Community fun days, every Christmas the elderly of the community were invited to a mature gathering, where they were fed, entertained and all received a present free of charge, Thursday senior lunch clubs, Friday bingo, race days where a coach load of people went to the races, children’s Christmas parties, drag queen and comedy nights.

“We have done it all as a community and I will miss a lot of those people.”

Karen’s daughter Rachelle said: “It’s very bittersweet for my family as our time has been very rewarding, full or fun and laughs and lots of memories, but on the other hand it has been very stressful and a lot of hardwork.

“The Pav has been the main hub for Swanscombe for many years and allowed families to get together in a safe place within walking distance of their homes.”

Rachelle added: “If walls could talk the Pav holds many secrets. So many people are going be lost on a weekend without it.”

Committee members at The Pavilion Community Sports and Social Club have struggled with funding over the years and the building has suffered leaky pipes and cracked floors.

The facilities are used by football and cricket teams while the hall receives bookings for children’s parties, senior lunches and fitness clubs.

Now, there are big plans in place for the building in the next 18 months.

Greenhithe and Swanscombe Town Council chairman Peter Harman said: “It is going to be demolished and a new £4 million facility built in its place.

“It was coming to the end of its useful life. It is owned by the town council who decided it was time to renew the building.

“It has been on a lease for 10 years and was due to be closed in September but the owners wanted to close it earlier.”

The new building is expected to be built by December 2024 and will include changing facilities and showers available for those using the sports pitches, a cafe/bar, a public hall, function rooms and an enhanced viewing area for the sports fields.

The building promises to be in keeping with the neighbouring buildings and will be mainly single storey with a couple of first floor function rooms which will be available for hire.

There are also plans to include a sensory garden in the grounds.

The plans will go before Dartford Council’s planning committee shorty.