Gosport Discovery Centre could get £750,000 revamp from Hampshire County Council

The Discovery Centre, in Gosport, attracts about 400,000 visitors per year and could be transformed into a community hub under a project by Hampshire County Council.

The project would save the council £200,000 a year because of a reduction in buildings and staffing costs overall for the council.

The centre, in High Street, would be a multi-functional facility. It would primarily be a library but new elements would include a community link for learning disability day services and older persons day services.

Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member for education at Hampshire County Council, believes the move is the way ahead for community facilities.

He said: ‘There is a lot of spare space in the Discovery Centre and this will make the library users even more active.

‘It will be a great advantage and eventually I think it could become a one-stop shop to suit all needs.’

A council spokesman said: ‘Hampshire’s libraries are at the heart of their communities. We are looking to use our library spaces and buildings as effectively as possible by integrating more community-focused services with libraries.

‘This is potentially very exciting for the Gosport area’

Service users would benefit from opportunities for increased community engagement and improved access to other local services and amenities in the hub itself and the surrounding area.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage added: ‘The idea sounds promising for improving access to supportive amenities in Gosport.’

Money for the scheme has been requested by the cabinet and will be added to the capital programme in December.