A MULTI-MILLION pound sports centre for Winchester has moved a step closer following confirmation of the city council's preferred location.

Garrison Ground at Bar End, which was bought by the council from Tesco, became first choice for the project following approval by cabinet.

The ambitious £34 million scheme may include plans for an Olympic-sized 50m pool.

A planning application is due later this year and if all goes well the centre is due to open in autumn 2020.

Councillors also approved spending £335,000 on repairs to the ageing River Park Leisure Centre while the new centre is still in the works.

The improvements will include electrical repairs, cleaning of the main pool, the replacement of pool pumps and installing a UV system to manage water quality.

Councillor Robert Humby said: "This is about going forward. We have looked at this in great detail. I am keen that we get this (River Park) fit for purpose for the time being and then get our new building done."

Councillor Lisa Griffiths, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “River Park Leisure Park is reaching the end of its useful life and investment in new modern facilities is much-needed and long-awaited. Projects that support health and happiness are a key aim of our Council Strategy.

“Now that the City Council has secured the purchase of the Garrison Ground plans can really start to pick up pace. While planning a replacement leisure centre is undoubtedly a marathon rather than a sprint, we are well on the way.”

She added that an architect was due to be appointed in May and appealed to members of the public to let the council know what they are looking for from the project.

County councillor Jackie Porter called on councillors to communicate with parents and carers on the project.

“The stakeholders include a number of organisations, but not to my knowledge, the Hampshire Parent Carers Network, which works with parents, leisure providers, occupational therapists, specialist groups such as the Autistic Society, health providers, and the county council to deliver better outcomes for the 5000 plus children,” she said.

“It is one of the greatest pleasures to see your disabled child enjoy facilities without a battle. Winchester City Council can be a major contributor to health, wellbeing and happiness on this score.

“I urge this council to ask the architects to be innovative look at some fun to have items- an outside paddling pool for example that offers low cost, fun environments for children in the school holidays.

“We need to find ways to give children from all backgrounds three hours of activity daily. We heard recently that children of 7 plus aren't doing that.

“We are all looking forward to a leisure centre that will meet the needs of all of our population, from pre-birth to 90 plus.”

Chris Holloway of WinACC expressed hopes that the new leisure centre could be powered entirely by renewable energy.

"We are very pleased that the council is looking to do something about the leisure centre because it is the largest single contributor to the council's carbon footprint," she said.

Liberal Democrat leader Lucille Thompson said: " This is a project that we really want to support. We were disappointed to learn that the tender documents had gone through without review and members of the Bar End Forum were not privy to them."