MULTI-million pound visions to update one of the city's biggest sports centres have been revealed.
Southampton City Council is inviting local residents to view the latest proposals for the upgrade of Southampton’s Outdoor Sports Centre.
Launching today, residents can submit their feedback on the Draft Masterplan of Improvements for the centre through a 12-week public consultation.
A total of £16.85 million of funding has been allocated in the council’s capital programme.
Improvements include a new hub offering changing facilities, gym, cafe; new indoor tennis and netball courts; improvements for an integrated cycling offer; new artificial grass football pitches; improvements to the hockey and cricket pitches; improvements to the snow sports centre including a new ski lodge; transformational use of the north of the site with a new ‘family zone’ providing an outdoor gym, skatepark, children’s play area and more; new enlarged grandstand and clubhouse for events and officials at the athletics track; and additional on-site car parking.
The plans also proposes other enhancements to paths, seating, lighting and environmental features across the entire site.
Councillor John Hannides, Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Assets at Southampton City Council, said: “This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to comment on the proposals to improve Southampton’s Outdoor Sports Centre for the current and future generations of our city.
"Not only will these improvements enhance the city’s main venue for outdoor sports, it will also boost the local economy and create new jobs whilst providing the best outcomes for the city by enhancing our natural environment and improving the everyday life for our communities."
The council say they have engaged with the local community and sports clubs to identify key themes and ideas for improvements.
This early feedback informed a draft improvement plan which was reviewed and commented on by over 1,200 people in 2015, 89 per cent of whom agreed with the suggested priority areas for improvement.
Although a number of changes and improvements have been made to the facility over the years, the council say they recognised that there was considerable interest in establishing a future vision for the Outdoor Sports Centre which would enhance its offer for both competitive sports and leisure users.
The 12-week consultation ends on Sunday October 31, 2021. Once the consultation ends, all responses will be analysed before a planning application is submitted.
To take part in the consultation and to submit your feedback you can visit southampton.gov.uk/outdoorsportscentre or you can request hard copies of the documents at your local library.
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