Leisure Centre on track for Bar End
The purchase of the Garrison Ground at Bar End by Winchester City Council is now complete.
The City Council and Tesco have been working closely for a number of years and announced today (22 December) that they have agreed fair commercial terms for purchase of the important site. The price is subject to a confidentiality clause in the contract.
By purchasing the land the Council can now consider it as an option for the location of the city’s new community sports and leisure centre.
The Garrison Ground is east of the existing running track and is the site preferred for a new leisure centre by many local residents and community groups.
The purchase means that the land is protected from private development and will continue to be used for sport and leisure.
Cllr Stephen Godfrey, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
I am absolutely delighted that Winchester City Council has purchased the Garrison Ground. We can now preserve this land for community sports and leisure use.
This is great news for the New Year. The Council is keen to press on and provide a replacement sports and leisure centre for Winchester that offers opportunities to improve health and well-being for local people across the district for years to come. The Council is working closely with the University of Winchester, the Pinder Trust and Hampshire County Council to deliver this vision.
Alec Brown on behalf of Tesco said:
We are pleased to have reached an agreement to sell the land at Bar End. We have worked closely with the Council for some time and hope the sale means that the site continues to contribute to the Winchester community for many years to come.