Here's what will be inside Fareham Leisure Centre if its £6.3m expansion is approved

The external concept designs for the leisure centre – which will include a new children’s soft play area – have been approved by the council.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 10th Mar 2020, 16:50 BST
Updated 10th Mar 2020, 17:42 BST
What the extension could look likeWhat the extension could look like
What the extension could look like

Councillors at the executive of Fareham Borough Council have voted to approve the concept designs for the expansion for the leisure centre in Park Lane.

The leisure centre, which is managed by Everyone Active, is looking to expand to include a larger gym area, a new studio space, and a new climbing area.

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For children, the gym will be installing a splash pad area next to its swimming pool, and the squash court will be replaced with a soft play area. There will also be additional parking on site.

An artist's impression of Fareham Leisure CentreAn artist's impression of Fareham Leisure Centre
An artist's impression of Fareham Leisure Centre

The ‘exciting’ expansion will create a ‘lighter and airer’ building, according to Councillor Susan Bell, executive member for leisure and community.

Cllr Bell said: ‘They are very exciting plans. We are looking forward to the planning application coming forward.

‘It's going to make it lighter and airer.

‘And the additional climbing wall will attract a lot of people – the existing facilities are very popular.’

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Councillor Katrina Trott, who sits on the council's leisure and community scrutiny panel, said the centre needed to increase footfall after the opening of a PureGym branch in Broadcut Retail Park in 2018.

But she was concerned that some residents would lose out under the proposals.

She said: ‘They do need to try to increase the footfall and anything that brings in more children is a good idea.

‘But I’m concerned that the squash courts will impact a lot of citizens.’

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An informal squash league with a 100 members would need to find a new home, according to the councillor.

She said: ‘I’m not sure if they feel well-consulted.’

The £6.3m expansion will be funded initially from borrowing by Fareham Borough Council. The authority aims to recoup the money by cutting costs thanks to a 10-year management contract with Everyone Active, agreed in November.

The leisure centre, which was built in 1980, was refurbished in 2014, with new changing rooms, a replacement pool water filtration system and an updated exterior costing £1.5m.

A planning application for the latest development is expected to come before a planning committee in May.

Related topics:Susan BellCouncillors