A PLACES for People Leisure chief says Andover will get the “lion’s share” of an £18 million investment package to improve sporting facilities across the borough.

Peter Leamore, the company’s area manager for the Hampshire and Dorset region, says at least £16 million will be pumped into the town by the leisure provider - most of which will be spent on a new leisure centre for Andover.

The PfP boss has also promised investment in other facilities in the town, such as Charlton Lakes, as well as improvements to facilities in the wider Test Valley area, including Romsey Rapids.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Mr Leamore said: “We plan to invest £18 million across Test Valley and the lion’s share will go on Andover Leisure Centre.

“At Charlton we plan to put high ropes and low ropes and a zip line across the lake.

“We will be investing in a gym at Knightwood Leisure Centre - that’s going to be a great addition for the local community.

“At Romsey we will be purchasing £250,000 of new gym kit and looking to improve changing facilities.”

Although investment is expected to come throughout the life of PfP’s 30 year contract with Test Valley Borough Council, the majority of the £18 million will be used to fund improvements within the next two years.

Construction work officially began on the company’s biggest investment, the new Andover Leisure Centre, last week.

Building contractors, Pellikaan, officially moved onto West Street Car Park and have since started their preparations to demolish part of the old site.

The specialist Dutch company, responsible for building the majority of PfP’s new leisure centres, is expected to begin tearing down the old swimming pool and sports hall in September.

Following investigation and ground improvement work, construction will then begin on the new centre, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2019.

Plans for PfP’s leisure centre were originally met with scepticism by a number of Andover residents, with some raising concerns, and even protesting, over the size and suitability of the new facility.

However Helen Meckiffe, PfP’s contract manager for Test Valley, has moved to reassure residents it will be a major improvement on the previous facility and will have more “useable space” than its predecessor.

She said: “There is a lot of circulation space in the old building - wider corridor areas and vending areas.

“The new building utilises that space better and is a lot more efficient.”

Mr Leamore added: “The new building is a lot better in terms of efficiency compared to the old building. We wanted every area of the building working hard.

“With new modern-day facilities it is about flexible spaces which can future proof a building for the next 40 years.

“Our business is fast changing and something that is popular now might not be in future years.

“Being able to have space that flexible is really important.”

As well as the building, Mr Leamore also outlined the company’s plans for facilities inside the centre, including introducing a new “clip and climb” activity.

The PfP chief says the company wanted to bring a new type of activity that “doesn’t currently exist” in the area.

Mr Leamore also talked about improvements in the swimming area, such as a new teaching pool with a moveable floor.

He said this would allow the company to programme the pool, depending on the activity that is taking place.

Other plans from PfP include reducing the school’s waiting list for swimming lessons by improving pool programming, as well as strengthening relationships between the leisure centre and nearby Andover College.

Mr Leamore also added that the company hoped to get more involved with the Andover community in the coming years.

He said this would be made easier by having a leisure facility “at the heart of the town”.