BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council is exploring options to relocate a golf course in town.

Work is underway to identify council-owned land to provide a replacement for facilities at Basingstoke Golf Centre, following the agreement of a deal to pave the way for a new indoor water park resort to be built on the land.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has agreed an ‘in-principle’ deal which opens the door for Great Wolf Resorts to build an indoor water park resort on the site next to the leisure park, after the major US-based leisure operator identified an interest in bringing one of its family attractions to Basingstoke.

The site is currently home to Basingstoke Golf Centre, owned by the council and operated by the Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust and managed by Serco.

This provides a par-three nine-hole golf course, an 18-hole adventure golf zone and a floodlit driving range.

READ MORE: Plans to build water park resort, new hotel in Basingstoke

The council is now exploring to relocate this by finding a land that could provide a good location for a replacement golf course.

Further studies to test the feasibility of potential locations that could accommodate a new golf course would then be carried out.

The proposed Great Wolf resort, which is expected to complement the facilities at the Aquadrome, could feature a 500-bedroom hotel, an indoor water park, conference facilities, and leisure offerings including mini-golf, mini-bowling, ropes course, games arcade and selection of restaurants, cafés and bars, all subject to getting planning permission. 

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Co-leader and cabinet member for finance and property Cllr Gavin James said: “The proposed indoor water park resort is great news for the borough but we know how important the facilities currently on offer at Basingstoke Golf Centre are to our residents. We are committed to developing plans to re-provide these facilities as part of a strong leisure offer for our residents to enjoy across the borough. 

“Taking a look at the land we own is an important first step in understanding which sites could go forward for more detailed investigation. This would include exploring other important considerations such as the space that would be needed, accessibility and public transport and any potential impact on local communities.”

For more information about the facilities on offer at Basingstoke Golf Centre, visit basingstoke.gov.uk/basingstoke-sports-facilities