You're invited to our drop-in engagement event:   

Future development options for the former leisure centre site

Tuesday 27 January 2026, from 3-7pm

The Courtyard, The Guildhall, Winchester, SO23 9GH

There is no need to book. Just pop along, find out more, ask questions and tell us what you think.

Can’t make the event? Don’t worry. From the day of the public event, you'll have the opportunity to read the updated project information and tell us what they think via this webpage. 

Last year, we began an open process to find a partner to invest in the site. Commercial Property Agents- Lambert Smith Hampton, were appointed to market the site and at this initial stage, 12 expressions of interest were received.

Councillor Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said: “This new year signifies an exciting time for this site, and we’re really pleased with the quality and quantity of initial interest we’ve received.

“We really encourage people to come along and find out more about this next stage in the process. This drop-in event provides people with a useful recap of our agreed approach and the opportunities and constraints of this site, learn more about the expressions of interest received and hear what comes next in the process. People will also be able to ask the project team any questions they may have and importantly have the opportunity to give their feedback and share their views.

“This council wants to keep talking to local people and organisations and maintain momentum on this project, to ensure a positive and sustainable future for the former leisure centre site.”

We are committed to finding a new partner to invest in the site, on a long lease basis, as long as the following three conditions are met:  

• The green space – whether park, sports or play area, tennis courts or access through the site - is wholly out of scope 
• The public have a proper say during the process 
• Provision of the skate park and indoor bowling must be absolutely protected 

UPDATE: November 2025

Commercial property agents Lambert Smith Hampton have now been appointed to market the site.

Marketing is scheduled to commence mid November 2025, with Expressions of Interest due back in later December. This process will be followed by a further public engagement session early next year. 

UPDATE: July 2025

On 15 July 2025, the council's cabinet agreed to start the process of looking for a new partner to invest in the former leisure centre site.

Prior to this, we held a public drop-in event on Thursday 26 June, to support our public engagement survey on the site. This gave people an opportunity to hear the proposed approach, understand the process and timeline for finding a new partner to invest, learn about the opportunities and constraints of the site, ask the project team questions and for people to provide their feedback. 

Public Engagement Event information boards: Former Leisure Centre Site- Public Information Boards June 2025 ^{(pdf, 14.3mb)}

Read our latest press release- Next steps for the former leisure centre site - Winchester City Council

Have a question? Email the project team- regen@winchester.gov.uk 

UPDATE: March 2025

Councillor Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, made the following announcement at Cabinet on 20 March 2025:

“We’ve had confirmation from the University of Southampton of a planned investment upwards of £30million to their premises in our city – but following their consideration of the options, which took account of the overall economic environment for the university sector and for construction projects more generally, investment in River Park Leisure Centre is not part of that plan. Obviously, I’m disappointed – but I understand the reasons - and now we need to look to the future. So, I have instructed officers to begin an open process of finding a new partner who can invest in the site – subject to three conditions:

• The green space – whether park, sports or play area, tennis courts or access through the site - is wholly out of scope.
• The public have a proper say during the process.
• Provision of the skate park and indoor bowling must be absolutely protected

Last Updated: Tuesday 13 January 2026