CONSULTANTS have identified a lack of sporting provision in Winchester but have avoided the crunch issue of where any new centre should go.

Continuum Leisure was commissioned by the city council to carry out a study into Winchester’s leisure needs.

The report examined changes in population, participation and the ambitions of local sports clubs.

Campaigners have called for a new leisure complex in Bar End, including a 50m swimming pool and indoor running strip.

Winchester Fit for the Future, an umbrella group of local clubs, argues River Park Leisure Centre is insufficient for the city’s needs.

The report identified a need for more indoor and water sport provision and examined four options for a new centre – a £25m centre with a 10-lane 25m swimming pool and 20m teaching pool, a £27m complex with an eight-lane 50m pool and both options with a gymnastics centre, which would cost £28m and £30m respectively.

It did not assess whether River Park would be able to meet the need if renovated.

All options share a number of facilities including a 12-court sports hall, large gym and tennis courts. River Park and Bar End were described as “the only two options” for location but no site was recommended. The consultants were not asked to recommend a preferred site.

Continuum highlighted the first option as most financially viable.

The report said: “It is cheaper, provides a greater level of surplus over the 10-year forecast period and, with a smaller footprint, should be a deliverable in a slightly shorter timescale.”

Emma Back, of Fit for the Future, said she was happy to see the report shared several of the group’s concerns.

She said: “They have come up with similar proposals to our own plans, for example, they echo our concern that there is a lack of water space and recognise the need for more indoor court provision.”

But she added:“We are very much of the opinion the facility is as flexible as possible in offering the broadest range of facilities and that includes a 50m pool.”

She also said the cost could be met through fundraising and bringing in local partners rather than the council borrowing money.

Cllr Keith Wood, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said: “Our prime aim is to ensure that leisure centre facilities will continue to be provided for our residents – there are currently over 500,000 visits to the centre annually.

“The next stage will be for us to look at the costs and benefits of the different options, including refurbishment of the existing centre, in the light of the many competing service pressures on our budgets. I want to move quickly to a clear decision and hope to indicate how we propose to proceed in July.”

It would cost £8m to improve facilities at River Park or £3m to only make vital repairs to the building.