Following a city-wide survey in 2020 to gather feedback about existing sport and leisure facilities in Portsmouth and to introduce the idea of a new facility at Bransbury Park, a consultation was launched in 2021 to gather more detailed insight around the potential new centre at Bransbury Park.
At the outset of the project money had been set aside to keep the facilities at Eastney Swimming Pool and Wimbledon Park Sports Centre going as they currently were. The proposal was to use this money on a brand new facility at Bransbury Park instead. Most respondents in the 2020 consultation supported the proposal (63% – the full consultation results can be found here). Following this, approval was given to develop the proposal further.
The Council have now committed £10.5m towards the project, and plan to make a bid to Sport England for up to £2m more in grant funding which would help maximise the number of facilities on the site. This second wave of research therefore focused on getting more detailed insight around the potential new centre. This insight aims to help make sure that the right mix of facilities is provided, and to show a local need for it. It will also help to inform the Sport England bid.
It was decided that an approach focused on key stakeholders would provide valuable information in the 2021 consultation. Members of the public were also consulted, to understand the views of potential users on a new centre at Bransbury Park. The key stakeholders include:
- individuals, clubs and organisations who currently use Eastney Swimming Pool, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre and Eastney Community Centre,
- regional and national sport groups, and
- local councillors.