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City Council set to buy Garrison Ground

Winchester City Council has agreed to purchase the Garrison Ground at Bar End from Tesco. This will secure the future of the Garrison Ground for community sports and leisure use and means that part of the site can be evaluated as an option for the location of the city’s new sports and leisure centre.

An area to the east of the existing running track had been identified as the preferred site for the new facility but many local residents and community groups felt that the Garrison Ground area would be preferable. This had not been possible whilst it remained outside the Council’s ownership.

The City Council and Tesco have agreed terms which will see the Garrison Ground purchased in its entirety by the City Council.

Cllr Stephen Godfrey, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said:

We want to provide a replacement sports and leisure centre for Winchester that offers opportunities to improve health and well-being for local people for years to come. We are working closely with the University of Winchester, the Pinder Trust and Hampshire County Council to deliver this vision.

We have negotiated fair commercial terms with Tesco with whom we have had a good relationship over the Garrison Ground for some time. I am delighted that we can now resolve the uncertainty which has surrounded the area at Bar End for many years.

Alec Brown, Communications Manager on behalf of Tesco said:

We have been working closely with the Council who have leased the playing fields from Tesco for a number of years. We are pleased to have reached an agreement and hope the sale means that the site continues to contribute to the Winchester community for many years to come.

Professor Joy Carter, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, commented:

This project is a huge opportunity for the Winchester City and region to have access to new and improved sports and leisure facilities. The University remains committed to working with the City Council to help make the project a success and to secure the future health and well-being of the city.

Emma Back of Winchester Sports, Art and Leisure Trust (SALT), added:

Winchester SALT is committed to working with Winchester City Council to protect the Garrison Ground for community use in perpetuity. We're excited by the prospect of a new sports and leisure centre being built there, and by the opportunity this presents to enhance the entire Bar End recreational area and improve community access to it.

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