A MILESTONE was marked at the site of Andover’s new leisure centre this week.

A topping out ceremony, which celebrates the highest point of the building being completed, was held on Tuesday.

The 30-year contract to design, build and maintain the centre was awarded to Places For People Leisure, in conjunction with Pellikaan Construction and architects Roberts Limbrick.

Speaking at the ceremony, Richard van Emmerik, managing director at Pellikaan Construction, said: “We’re well on our way, making use of the good weather we’ve had over the last couple of weeks.

“We can only be proud of ourselves in May next year, when we handover the project without any defects. We’ve done it in the past and we will do it now.”

Representatives from Test Valley Borough Council and pupils from Anton Junior School were some of the guests invited to take a tour of the building site.

Test Valley mayor Councillor Ian Carr said: “I’ve got a good feeling about it. It’s something we wanted to do for a long time and it looks like it’s finally coming to fruition.”

Cllr Phil North, leader of the council, added: “I think it’s fantastic that we’ve got this far with the project so far. We had an aspiration to build a brand new leisure centre for Andover and its being delivered. The conversations I’ve had with the guys, it’s all on schedule for opening in spring of next year.

“We’ve got huge aspirations for this area. The brand new leisure centre is just one aspect of that.

“There’s aspirations to raise a cultural quarter on the site of the former magistrates court, we’re looking to build a brand new theatre to replace The Lights, working with Andover College perhaps for a greater brand new college campus as well, and certainly have a sort of plaza area with eateries with outdoor seating.

“So that’s our aspiration and it’s one of the important plans for rejuvenating Andover’s town centre.”