ALTON and District Sports Council is seeking to rally public support after the release by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) of a specification that has reinforced concerns that “Alton is in real danger of getting a second-rate sports centre”.

The specification, which can be found online at easthants.gov.uk/altonleisure

centre makes clear that Alton’s long-stated requirement for an eight-lane, 50-metre competition pool has not been heeded and, in fact, was never on the cards since “the footprint of the site would not accommodate it”.

Furthermore, nor have the calls, Alton and District Sports Council fears, for improved squash, gymnastics, trampolining and dance facilities.

To be built on the artificial courts behind the existing sports centre, which will remain open while the new facility is built, the new “leisure” facility is to be completed during 2019 and will incorporate a range of modern facilities, including “a six-lane 25m indoor pool and a learner pool with movable floor with wetside village changing facilities, built in line with Sport England guidelines”.

There is to be a large fitness suite and two “generously-sized” studios with dedicated first-floor dry changing facilities, as well as dry changing facilities at ground-floor level to serve both the large sports hall and new external 3G pitches.

Additional facilities will include just two glass-backed squash courts with spectator viewing, a climbing centre and a children’s soft play zone, plus a “distinctive spa” to be run as a “commercial investment” by EHDC and the newly-appointed service providers, Everyone Active, with treatment rooms, sauna, steam, hydro pool and relaxation areas.

More telling, in the specification details, is the revelation that the plan is to replicate the existing six-lane 25m pool in the new centre, as per the outline planning application approved in 2015. According to EHDC, “there is not enough demand in the Alton area to justify the extra building and maintenance costs that would be required” to install an eight-lane, 50m pool – despite a pressing need by Alton and District Swimming Club which has a nationwide reputation, a waiting list of more than 100, and has been holding on at Alton in the hope of getting a bigger pool.

And senior school pupils from Eggar’s and Amery Hill are having to travel elsewhere because Alton’s existing 25m pool does not meet GCSE requirements, and therefore must travel to Fleet, Aldrershot, Guildford or Waterlooville.

Even more scandalous, however, is the fact that “the footprint of the (Alton) site would not accommodate an eight-lane pool”.

Alton’s thriving Squash Academy has expressed similar “deep disappointment” over the proposal to reduce the number of squash courts to two. Members remain incensed by the decision which, EHDC pointed out in the specification, is based on “a significant drop” in players over a five-year period (based on 2013 figures).

But squash is now on the up and with four teams representing Alton competing in the Hampshire Squash League, plus internal leagues, training and a community coaching programme to introduce youngsters and beginners to the game, as well as being regularly used by Alton’s 400-strong Health and Fun Club, the Squash Academy is questioning EHDC’s usage figures.

Furthermore, like fellow Alton and District Sports Council members, they are questioning the level of public consultation that has led to this specification, pointing out that the outline application in March 2015 did not provide any details of the internal spec or facilities.

Alton and District Sports Council members are now pinning their hopes on Alton Town Council who they hope will drive forward a campaign to secure a sports centre to best serve the rapidly expanding populations of Alton and the surrounding villages and are expecting to be out in force next Wednesday for a full council meeting when they will be seeking to make their case.