A one million pound cash injection from Hampshire County Council for the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park was announced at a Winchester City Council meeting on 22 February 2018 by Council Leader, Councillor Caroline Horrill.
The financial support from Hampshire County Council demonstrates the City Council’s commitment to working with partners to deliver a first class sport and leisure facility, which will improve the general health and wellbeing of residents throughout the District and the wider Hampshire area. Additionally, those in need of specialist treatment will be able to use a new hydrotherapy suite and eight treatment rooms.
The new Sport and Leisure Park located at Bar End will replace River Park Leisure Centre and will provide a comprehensive package of indoor and outdoor activities including a 50 metre pool, a separate teaching pool with movable floor, 250 spectator seats and a water play area. Other facilities include an eight court sport hall, a clip and climb facility, four squash courts, 200 gym stations, two large studios and one spin studio.
Cllr Lisa Griffiths, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said: “Hampshire County Council’s substantial contribution towards the cost of the new Sport and Leisure Park underpins the strong partnership between us and demonstrates their commitment to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. We are extremely grateful to them for supporting this exciting project and we look forward to moving closer towards creating a state-of-the art facility for the people of Winchester to enjoy.”
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry, said: “We are making this significant investment because we recognise the importance of helping Hampshire residents to be as fit and healthy as possible, as well as ensuring that we support those people with health conditions that require specialist rehabilitation, through treatments such as hydrotherapy.
“We are working closely with Winchester City Council colleagues so that not only all those who are currently living, studying and working in Winchester, but also Hampshire residents living further afield, in other parts of the county, have regular access to a range of modern, high quality sport, recreational and specialist treatment facilities, under one roof, at Winchester Sport and Leisure Centre - and can experience the important physical, health and social benefits these bring.”
