How To Fill A Hole?

[Ealy]

I have a walkout basement home with a coi pond that the previous owner installed. The pond is about 4 feet at its deepest and lays right next to the corner of the walkout. The dimensions of the pond are about 4' x 8'. There is about 1 foot of space between the pond and the siding of the house. The sides of the pond are built up with cinder blocks and the liner lays over them with flat landscape rock resting on the liner.

The pond isn't in good condition and I don't have time to maintain it. The water level tends to get too high and spill over, which in turn seeps into the corner of my basement.

I'm wanting to get rid of the pond, fill it in and most likely pour a concrete pad to extend my existing patio.

This seems like an airhead question, but what is the best way to fill the hole after removing the pond? I'm thinking gravel is going to be the best, but it is four foot deep and against the house. I want to make sure that I've got good drainage and that the concrete pad won't sink down.

[Ealy]

Thanks for the advice. I've got a buddy that runs a concrete crew and does flatwork. I'll let him do that part, but I want to make sure there is solid ground under it for good support.