THE proposed multi-million pound leisure centre in Winchester has "overwhelming support", according to consultation feedback.

City councillors met at the Guildhall to hear the findings from five public engagement sessions on the £36.3m scheme at Bar End, to replace the ageing River Park Leisure Centre.

The council is proposing the new centre at Garrison Ground and a planning application is expected early next year.

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Around 240 people attended the five events and used post-it notes and questionnaires to share their vision for the project, while around 500 people responded online.

Graham Stephens of architects Stride Treglown said 90.5 percent of those surveyed supported the concept of a new leisure centre and in addition to the agreed facilities mix, there was strong support for various other facilities and retention of sports pitches and open space.

At present, the centre is proposed to have an eight-lane 50m pool, a 20m teaching pool, 12 badminton courts, 180 fitness station as opposed to 120 at River Park and four squash courts, two studios as well as treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, soft play and a cafe.

Guy Ashton, portfolio holder for finance, said: “We did this engagement before proposals were in place to give people the chance to say what they feel. Had we come forward with concrete proposals at this point we would have frightened the life out of everyone.”

The meeting heard that there will be a second round of engagement sessions including with University of Winchester, the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, primary and secondary schools, and parish councils.

Cllr Jan Warwick, portfolio holder for environment, raised concerns that although young people may be the ones using the new facilities the most, they were the lowest represented at the sessions, and that engaging with them might be hindered by it being the school and university holidays.

Cllr Brian Laming added that a creche might help with “encouraging younger mothers to use as a meeting point as well as a sporting facility.”

Cllr Jackie Porter called for a “district wide consultation” on the project.

“I still think we need to try harder to reach out further in future times,” she said.

Cllr Lisa Griffiths replied that the first round of consultation was focused on local residents but that the second round would be sent out to a wider audience.

There will be a further three engagement sessions on July 21 and 25 at the Guildhall and on July 22 at Winchester Sports Stadium.