In 2017, seven years ago, a leisure developer offered a privately funded scheme for the Bar End Depot Site which included an Ice Arena, curling, ten pin bowling, dance studios/community hall, convenience store and small budget hotel – they had funding in place and could have started on site as soon as planning was granted. 

Despite several attempts to secure council approval and support, the last being in September 2023, their patience ran out and they took their million-pound funding package elsewhere! What a missed opportunity – this now derelict site could have been a thriving hub of sporting and social activity. 

Why do councillors and planners have no vision for the benefits of sport to the community – this needs to change if the next generation are to keep fit and healthy.   Provision for new or additional sports facilities in Winchester needs to be on every council/developer agenda for any proposed future development in the city.

Edna Boden,
Winchester Ice Sport Association,

Greenhill Road,
Fulflood,
Winchester 

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