PROGRESS to bring a new state of the art sporting facility to Basingstoke is has become a bit clearer.

As previously reported in the Gazette planning permission was granted to redevelop the ‘outdated’ sports pavilion at May’s Bounty.

Basingstoke Sports and Social Club have now teamed up with architects Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt and project management consultancy PDCM to deliver the £2.6 million pavilion.

The new look facility will be fitted with four new unisex outdoor changing rooms, two squash changing rooms and two for officials. It also plans to add downstairs changing rooms and toilet facilities, helping to accommodate disabled players.

As well as the sporting facility as part of the multimillion pound project there will be the inclusion of a new club bar with members’ lounge and a flexible function space with capacity for up to 150 people.

Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, based in Basing View, also hopes to bring the standards of May’s Bounty up so that county cricket can once again return to Basingstoke.

David Ayre, director of Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, said: ‘We’ve been involved since very early on in the process working with Basingstoke Sports and Social Club, Hampshire County Cricket and the 2 of 2 English Cricket Board so we’re delighted to get the go-ahead for this much-needed local hub for sports.”

The design of the new facility consists of two carved brick blocks that come together to form a plinth that houses the changing room spaces.

An external terrace wraps around the first-floor social spaces, providing 360-degree views of the surrounding sports pitches.

A folded canopy marks the building as a landmark while sheltering the terrace.

The current May’s Bounty pavilion was constructed in 1865, with Basingstoke Sports and Social Club previously telling the Gazette that the ‘outdated’ facility “discourages people from coming or staying, if they don’t have anywhere to sit down or change.”