A SOUTH London council has promised locals a “first-class” new leisure centre by 2024.

It comes as permission to bulldoze the old one was controversially given.

The decision by Kingston Council to knock down the beloved Kingfisher Leisure Centre led to a petition which now has almost 3,000 signatures – as well as a Liberal Democrat councillor to resign.

The leisure centre has been closed since December 2019 due to structural issues with its roof.

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Instead of fixing the roof, the building will be replaced completely with the council claiming “this being the most sensible decision financially”.

The council are now working with architects Faulkner Browns to design the new leisure centre.

The council say the new centre will provide high quality facilities, be environmentally sustainable and will celebrate the borough’s rich heritage and history, according to the council.

It will include two new pools, a splash deck and a soft play area for children, sports facilities, and a clip and climb wall.

Play areas for families and quiet spots to sit and relax will also be added in the new development.

The leisure centre will connect to the neighbouring Kingston museum and library, providing a range of leisure and cultural opportunities for residents.

Councillor Caroline Kerr, leader of Kingston Council, said: “The sudden closure of the much loved Kingfisher was unfortunate and completely unexpected, but the good news is that Kingston can now look forward to a new and improved leisure centre opening on the site in 2024.

“A centre which provides first-class facilities for everyone to enjoy and makes the most of the heritage and history of the surrounding area.

“World class specialists have now been recruited to make the new facility a reality.

“Faulkner Browns, the architects designing the centre, were responsible for the fantastic Britannia Leisure Centre in Hackney and our vision is for something equally impressive here in Kingston.”