The latest proposals for Winchester’s new sport and leisure park have been shown to local people during a series of public meetings.
More than 70 people attended Winchester Sport Stadium in Bar End and talked through the plans for the city council project and the wider area with architects and consultants Stride Treglown.
The £38m park’s design and location, the impact of proposals for access, the vision for the area as a whole and what the next steps would be were all discussed.
Cllr Guy Ashton Portfolio Holder for Finance, who is also a member of the Leisure Centre Cabinet Committee introduced the meeting, and said: “This was a very constructive meeting that once again has shown the council continues to listen intently and respond to local people and organisations about how this important project will go forward.
“I really do thank everyone for their input because it has been and continues to be hugely influential in producing this report.
“This will be a place the whole community can enjoy, whether they aspire to be a great athlete, meet their friends for a coffee or just go for a walk. It’s a place for everyone and I’m excited by the plans.”
The new buildings will replace River Park Leisure Centre and should be built by 2021, subject to planning approval.
The draft plans – or ‘design framework’ – will inform the design and layout of the new centre, the landscaping surrounding it and accessibility of the park.
It also offers guidance for future development in the Bar End area on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
People at the meetings fed back that they were particularly pleased with the council’s drainage scheme, the sustainable travel options, parking and pedestrian access.
