Plans for a new £20m state-of-the-art sports centre in Alton to get ‘more people, more active, more often’ have been approved by East Hampshire District Council.
The new centre will be built alongside the existing facility to ensure continuous service and will be ready during 2019.
The application was submitted by Everyone Active who will deliver and run this centre and others across the district.
East Hampshire District Council’s Planning Committee deferred its decision on the plans on February 12 to look further into the engagement carried out before the centre design.
Having been provided with the relevant information the committee met again on Monday 5 March and approved the plans.
Everyone Active has also submitted a planning application for a new centre in Whitehill & Bordon while refurbishments for the Taro Leisure Centre in Petersfield are to begin soon.
The current centre is more than 40 years old and has reached the end of its useful life.
All the sports currently enjoyed at centre can be catered for at the new site, while more people than ever before will have access to sport and exercise.
Plans for the new centre include:
• A six-lane swimming pool deep enough to allow the GCSE programme work, where the current pool is not. It will have hi-tech touch-pad timers, starting blocks and seating for 150 spectators.
• A learner pool with an
adjustable floor.
• An air-conditioned cycle studio.
• A six-court sports hall.
• Two multi-use studios.
• A much larger 130-station gym, with its own dedicated changing area and locker facilities.
The centre will also feature a spa that includes four treatment rooms and recovery areas, including a sauna, steam room and hydro pool.
