CIVIC chiefs have given their strongest indication yet that River Park Leisure Centre will be replaced with a larger facility on the outskirts of Winchester.

A new sports hub at Bar End has emerged as the preferred option among groups needed to fund the £29 million project.

Winchester's creaking sports centre could also be rebuilt at River Park or refurbished at the cut price of £4-6 million under options being considered by the city council.

It is hoped a new centre would meet the district's sporting needs for 30 years or more. Funding partners, including Winchester University and Hampshire County Council, are attracted by the room for expansion offered at the larger Bar End site, city chiefs say.

Winchester City Council, which cannot afford to build a new centre alone, has spent months negotiating with potential partners, which also include the Pinder Trust and Winchester Sport and Leisure Trust (SALT).

The university, which operates the £3.5 million Winchester Sports Stadium in Bar End, is expected to be the biggest backer.

Professor Neil Marriott, deputy vice-chancellor, said discussions were in "early stages".

He added: “A new sports centre at Bar End would greatly enhance Winchester’s sports facilities and it has a good location, just off the motorway and near to park and ride facilities. The university has a growing reputation for sports science, coaching and development, and individuals using the new sports centre to train would also benefit from having access to University researchers, facilities and coaching.”

Winchester SALT, borne from the pro-Bar End Fit for the Future campaign, aims to raise £1 million towards a new centre.

Chief executive Emma Back said a preference for Bar End would be "great news" but reiterated the need for extra facilities like an Olympic-size 50m pool, trampolines, gymnastics facilities and netball courts.

"Our feeling throughout is that Bar End is the best location for community sport and recreation facilities for a range of reasons," she told the Chronicle.

"It's the site that allows for the specification that we need now and for the future, and we have been very clear that that's a 50 metre, eight lane pool regardless of what other water facilities are alongside it."

SALT has estimated its own leisure centre proposals, revealed in 2013, would cost less than £20 million.

A council spokesman said: "If Bar End were to be chosen as the preferred location, careful consideration would be given to the future use of the existing River Park Leisure Centre site. The council will consult with residents both of Hyde and Highcliffe, as well as the wider district, leisure centre users and sports clubs before a decision on the preferred way forward is made."

Councillors will next discuss their options at cabinet in September. Controversial proposals to build on green space at River Park were scrapped last year after outrage from residents.

Cllr Stephen Godfrey, the leader of Winchester City Council, said: “This piece of work provides essential financial information for councillors to make an informed decision on the future of Winchester’s leisure facilities and move forward with this major project.

“The city council will continue discussions with the university and others, and a report will be taken to cabinet in the early autumn to allow councillors to select an option to pursue.”