Home / Business and Economy / Sea Lanes Bid Wins Deal for Old Centre
Sea Lanes Bid Wins Deal for Old Centre
15 Sep
Summary
- Vacant leisure centre site cost £40,000 yearly for maintenance.
- Sea Lanes' winning bid prioritizes community well-being over profit.
- Lease conditional on planning permission and confirmed funding.
The former River Park Leisure Centre, which closed in 2020, is set to be redeveloped by Sea Lanes. The site has incurred approximately £40,000 per year in maintenance and security costs since its closure. A prior proposal to transfer the land to the University of Southampton did not materialize last year, leading the council to seek new development offers.
Twelve organizations initially showed interest, but only three submitted formal bids. Sea Lanes emerged as the preferred developer. A competing bid, which promised greater financial returns with an indoor sports center and a hotel, was disqualified due to breaches of a legal land covenant and non-compliance with council planning regulations.
Community advocates, like the Winchester Lido Group, emphasize the need for such facilities to combat issues like physical inactivity, mental health challenges, and loneliness. The Sea Lanes proposal includes no upfront payment to the council; the return is anticipated from revitalizing the costly, vacant site. The final lease agreement is conditional on Sea Lanes obtaining planning permission and confirming project funding within set timeframes.
