THE new state-of-the-art sport and leisure park in Winchester in near to completion, the city council has announced.

The council is expecting the building contractors, Willmott Dixon, to handover the building in the first week of May so that it can be made ready to open to the public by the end of May.

The all-new leisure park facilities will include a 50m swimming pool and training pool, multi-use sports hall, 200 station gym, studios, fun climbing, squash courts, a hydrotherapy suite, and access for those with disabilities. The Crussh café near to the entrance will offer healthy refreshments which can be enjoyed on the sun terrace.

Cllr Malcolm Prince, cabinet member for sport, leisure and communities, said: “We are really excited about the new centre opening to the public in late May. It has been a fantastic achievement by the contractors, Willmott Dixon, to progress a construction of this size during such a challenging year. They have kept their workers safe on site throughout and will still manage to complete the centre by our original target date of a spring opening.

“The centre will provide residents and visitors with incredible sport and leisure facilities and help bring our communities together to be healthy and active. We look forward to a celebration event later in the year when government guidelines allow.”

The new centre will be offering a range of memberships, a special early bird offer, and the ability to book activities in advance.

The council has detailed plans for reopening outdoor and indoor leisure facilities at district wide centres in line with the government plan for easing restrictions starting on Monday, March 29.

The artificial pitches at Meadowside Leisure Centre will also open on March 29, and the outdoor tennis courts at River Park Leisure Centre on Thursday, April 1. The River Park tennis courts will be available free of charge until Saturday, May 1, when temporary toilets will then be provided and charges will start again.

Depending on the dates confirmed by the Government, the council is also planning to reopen the indoor leisure facilities at Meadowside Leisure Centre from Monday, April 12. The centre will be available for the gym and Under 18 indoor sport (5-a-side football, badminton, basketball and netball) with bookings available for racquet sports.

Cllr Prince said: “We are delighted that many of our outdoor leisure activities will be available across the district from the end of March and Meadowside Leisure Centre will open in full from 12 April. All our efforts are on opening our new Leisure Centre at Bar End by the end of May so this means that we will not re-open the doors of River Park Leisure Centre again.

“This centre has served us well and is loved by many, but it is not cost effective to open it for such a short time before our new centre opens. We will use this space from mid-April to prepare the complex Covid requirements for the 2021 election.”