ANDOVER could be without a public swimming pool for up to TWO years during the construction of its new multi-million pound leisure centre.

Test Valley Borough Council has also admitted current leisure centre users face years of “significant disruption” to services while building work takes place.

Leisure centre staff also face an uncertain future, while clubs which rely on the facility’s swimming pool could be forced to travel as far as Basingstoke to keep their groups alive.

The uncertainty comes after incoming leisure providers Places of People Leisure officially lodged its planning application for the new leisure centre.

The all-new facility, which will be on the same West Street site, will include an improved swimming pool, sports halls and a 165-station fitness suite.

But Places for People’s phased construction plan means the providers will be without a swimming pool and sports hall at Andover Leisure Centre during construction.

This could leave swimming clubs and schools, who use the pool for lessons, high-and-dry for up to two years.

Instead the groups may have to make a 20-mile round journey to the nearest public swimming pool, in Tidworth, or face a 40-mile round journey toBasingstoke, Salisbury or Winchester.

One of those to raise issue with the plans is St Anns Close resident, and Andover Swimming and Waterpolo Club (ASWPC) secretary, Paul Goddard.

In a letter to the Advertiser, he said: “From viewing the plans, I am really disappointed.

“Thousands of new houses are being built around this town, but once complete, give and take a bit here and there, the new leisure centre will have similar facilities that are on offer now.

“What about the expanding the facility? How about more squash courts or a bigger swimming pool?

“It gets worse if you’re a badminton player or a swimmer. It would seem that there will be no facilities available for over 18 months during construction.

“The gym will be kept going throughout, but for everything else, you’ve got to go to another town.

“Test Valley Borough Council ran the tender process that awarded their leisure contract to Places for People Leisure, and this is what we’ve got to show for it?”

The Advertiser later approached ASWPC for a comment.

In a statement the club said it had serious concerns and that it is currently collecting views from its members.

But it added that it is looking forward to working with both TVBC and Places for People to help achieve top class leisure facilities in Andover.

Places for People plan to begin the building work with the demolition of the two southern parts of the current leisure centre, which houses the swimming pool and sports hall.

The company, which operates over 100 leisure centres across the country, says it plans to keep the northern part of the building open during this time.

This area will contain the fitness suite, dance studios, café and children’s area, which will remain open during construction.

The Advertiser understands that once the new leisure centre is complete, the remaining building will then be demolished and replaced with a new green area.

Other planned changes to the leisure centre, which will be smaller than its predecessor in terms of floor space, include moving the disabled car parking space to the facility’s new entrance. This will be located on the opposite side of the building to the current foyer.

Opening hours will also be extended by 19 hours per week once the new centre is complete.

The leisure centre currently opens between 6am to 10pm during weekdays and 8am to 5.30pm and 7am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

However, the new centre is planned to open between 5.30am to 11pm during the weekdays and 7am to 11pm on weekends.

Significantly, the company has indicated it will employ 60 staff at the new leisure centre, 20 of which will be part-time.

The Advertiser understands this is less than the number currently employed at the leisure centre, under outgoing provider Valley Leisure.

Current staff are said to be “very anxious” about the security of their jobs under Places for People, which takes over facilities across Test Valley in April.

The council has assured that staff will move over to the leisure company under protection of employment regulations known as a Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE).

But the authority added that any future redundancies would be a matter for Places for People.

The Advertiser asked Places for People Leisure about possible changes to staff, but the company did not make a comment.

However, in relation to the new leisure centre, a spokesperson said: “We are still formatting plans and exploring options with Test Valley Borough Council.

“In order to reduce disruption we opted for a phased demolition and construction, meaning a significant portion of the existing building can be retained throughout the construction phase.

“At this time we can confirm the facilities that will be retained are the fitness suite, dance studios, treatment rooms, soft play, café and group cycling.

“We are aware of the concerns regarding the swimming pool and are looking into options.”

Test Valley Borough Council has also commented on the plans.

The authority’s portfolio holder for community and leisure, councillor Tony Ward, said: “It has been our ambition to deliver a new leisure centre for the town for some time now and our focus has always been on getting the best possible outcome for our residents.

“We recognise that the proposed work will cause a significant amount of disruption, but once complete, residents will have access to a brand new, state-of-the-art leisure facility that they will be able to enjoy for decades to come.”