COUNCILLORS have slammed a decision to approve an eight-court sports hall at Winchester’s new sports and leisure centre after the planned facilities were agreed.

Winchester City Council’s cabinet voted to build an eight, rather than 12, court facility at the new leisure centre, set to be built in Bar End – the same number as at the current River Park Leisure Centre, which it will be replacing.

Cabinet members defended the plans, saying that the research indicated an eight-court hall would be sufficient and meet Sport England requirements.

At the meeting, held earlier this week, councillors signed off the plans for the facilities at the £37million leisure centre, which will include an Olympic-length (50m) swimming pool that could be separated into two smaller pools, a learner pool and a water play area, in addition to the sports hall.

The new centre will also have a ‘clip and climb’ facility, four squash courts, a hydrotherapy suite and eight treatment rooms, two large studios, a spin studio and 200-station gym. Councillors added there would be a flexible space that could be used as a creche or soft play area, and cafe.

Criticising the plans, Lib Dem city councillor Eleanor Bell said: “The whole point is [an eight-court hall] will only give us room for one football court, whereas 12 courts would give us two. We are building for the future.

“The idea that we could expand later, everyone knows that adding to a building later would cost more.”

Fellow Lib Dem councillor Malcolm Prince added: “How much extra would a 12-court facility cost us? I’ve spoken with Cllr Guy Ashton [portfolio holder for finance], he indicated that to have the other four courts was an additional £2m over 40 years.

“I would say that if you have the right management team and structure, we can close that gap.”

Conservative councillor Kim Gottlieb, who did not attend the cabinet meeting, also slated the decision. He said: “Cabinet’s decision to proceed on the basis of a smaller sports hall than was previously approved is immensely disappointing. It is important however, that this does not become a party political battle.”

But, cabinet members defended the decision to only include an eight-court sports hall, highlighting research by Sport England consultants.

A cabinet report said: “The current River Park Leisure Centre has an eight-court hall; however, it is not compliant with Sport England guidance and is effectively the equivalent of a six-court hall.

“The work commissioned to develop a ‘sports facility needs assessment’ for the district has shown that there is an oversupply of sports halls... An eight-court hall as part of the proposed sports and leisure park would meet the requirements.

“The proposed eight-court sports hall will be a larger space than the existing provision at River Park.”

Cllr Stephen Godfrey added: “To say that we can make up £2m when we’re going to get the same quality of facilities, it beggars belief. We don’t just waste public money.”

Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Cllr Lisa Griffiths, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “We recognise that the current leisure is at the end of its useful life and in its present state its facilities don’t offer the type of experience that they should be able to expect.[This] landmark decision to progress the new development will address this.

“We need to look to the future and, having listened to the public and taken on board advice from experts, are confident we can create better facilities that offer a broad range of leisure opportunities for the district’s communities.”

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