'A boost for the area' - residents react to plans for a new swimming pool and sports centre in Portsmouth

As reported, Portsmouth City Council revealed plans for a new leisure and community venue – potentially on the site of the Eastney Community Centre – to replace facilities at Eastney Swimming Pool and Wimbledon Park Sport Centre.

It comes after a report showed the pool alone would need £850,000 to keep it in working order.

Many residents welcomed the plans, as long as existing classes at the centre were not lost.

Lizzi Wright, 32, from Eastney said: 'I think it's a good idea because Eastney Swimming Pool is quite dilapidated.

'I know they do a lot of classes at the centre such as a baby sensory class with music - if they can still use the centre for classes like that it would be good, not just for sport.'

Judy Yoxall, 68, who lives next to Bransbury Park said: 'It seems like a good idea in principal but I do wonder if they will be able to fit it all here.

'And parking is already a problem in our street. When people come here for netball practice they have to find somewhere to park in our road. If it's going to be a bigger complex that will need a bigger car park - so maybe they can extend the one at the top of the park.'

Her friend Carole Shinar, 60, hoped it wouldn't affect the Wheels for All programme at the park. 'We need to keep the classes going otherwise people here are going to think that's unfair,' she said.

'Also there's the cycling club for people with disabilities that's really popular here - I hope that can keep going.'

Julia Golding, 54, who used to bring her children to the community centre, added: 'The swimming pool at Eastney needs a massive refurbishment. A lot of people will be sad to see the Wimbledon Park centre go though, it is a shame.'

There was hope that a new centre would increase footfall to local businesses.

SEE ALSO: £2.5m makeover for Pyramids Centre planned

Ash Dean, 28, who works at the Bransbury Park Butchers in Eastney Road, said: 'I think it will be a good idea, it should increase footfall for the shops.

'It would give the park a bit of a boost and the whole area a boost.'

And the owner of nearby Portsmouth Fruit and Flower, Sue Manning, 55, said: 'A lot of people use the park and its facilities and a lot of people use the swimming pool at Eastney so I think this will be a good idea.

'It will be good in the long run but I do worry about the short term - about how long the centre will be closed and if people will lose their jobs.'

If the new centre at Bransbury Park is built it is planned the land at Eastney Swimming Pool and the Wimbledon Park Centre would be kept by the council to be redeveloped.

The council is asking for feedback on plans. To have your say visit portsmouth.gov.uk/sportandleisure or call 023 9261 6708 by December 13.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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