Public consultation begins on June 30 over revised plans for a new leisure centre at Farnborough.

Rushmoor Borough Council agreed in February to scale down its plans as the original proposals to replace the Farnborough Leisure Centre, which closed permanently during lockdown and has since been demolished, had become too expensive.

The Government has agreed a £20 million grant from the Levelling Up Fund for the earlier scheme, can be used towards delivering the revised scheme.

The new scheme will be built on the existing Queensmead car park. It is likely to include a 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool, along with a gym offering more than 100 fitness stations including specialist power-assisted equipment for people who are less mobile, studio space, a spin studio, soft play and a café.

Cllr Sophie Porter, deputy leader and cabinet member for healthy communities and active lives for Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “We know that our residents want to see a new leisure centre and swimming pool in Farnborough and moving ahead with the planning application will be a key milestone in this journey.

“We are working very hard to bring the centre forward for everyone as soon as we can and so that we can get on with building it. Providing everyone with local opportunities for exercise, improved wellbeing and social connection is a priority for us and the new leisure centre will be a key part of this effort, designed to bring people together in an affordable and inclusive space for fitness, swimming and recreation.”

Drop in sessions will be on:

  • Thursday, July 3 at the council offices, Farnborough, 2pm to 7pm
  • Monday, July 7 at the council offices, Farnborough, 9am to 12pm
  • Saturday, July 12, at the Princes Mead shopping centre, Farnborough (on the Asda side) 10am to 1pm

Cllr Porter added: “We hope that local people can make it along to one of our drop-in sessions to see the revised plans and give us feedback. We will be submitting the planning application in the Autumn, and we hope that building work can get started early next year.”

A website at https://new-farnborough-leisure-centre.co.uk/ will go live on June 30. The consultation runs until Friday July 25.

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