Community
State-of-the-art sports centre a step closer after £2m deal
The next generation of Olympic stars could be training in Winchester thanks to a £2m deal between the council and Tesco.
Plans for a new state-of-the-art sports centre could be unveiled soon as Winchester City Council has agreed to buy the Garrison Ground at Bar End, from Tesco.
Tesco was previously interested in developing the land for housing, but the new proposals reveal that it is set to be used for community sports and leisure activities.
The deal will secure the future of the ground and means that the council can assess whether it is possible to relocate the city’s existing sports centre to part of the site.
The exact area for the new centre is yet to be finalised, but the council is believed to be looking at a number of different sites in the Bar End area.
But local residents have spoken in favour of the Garrison Ground to be home to the new facility, which had not been possible while outside the council’s ownership.
Cllr Stephen Godfrey, the leader of Winchester City Council, said: “We want to provide a replacement sports and leisure centre for Winchester that offers opportunities to improve health and well-being for local people for years to come. We are working closely with the University of Winchester, the Pinder Trust and Hampshire County Council to deliver this vision.”
Alec Brown, from Tesco said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement and hope the sale means that the site continues to contribute to the Winchester community for many years to come.”
Solent ski club has been providing adaptive skiing sessions for people with various disabilities for over 20 years.
Sessions take place on the second Sunday of every month at the Alpine Sports Centre in Southampton.
The club has been a charity since 2017. It is funded by member subscriptions, ski session fees and donations.
Club Chairman, Peter Ramm said: “The aim of the club is to put a smile on their faces. Ultimately, we take a view that everyone has a disability when they come skiing because they put a plank of wood on their feet.”
Solent Ski Club hope their guidance can provide disabled skiers with more confidence and therefore greater independence and enjoyment when on the slopes.
Peter Ramm said: “The primary driver is safety, it’s about having enough people around them to ensure they can ski safely.”
The club also aims to develop the skiing knowledge and skills of all members.
Qualified ski instructors, trained ski guides and many volunteers are present at all sessions.
Florence Davies, a skier at the club said: “My favourite thing is probably getting to speak to and enjoy laughs with other people that share similar difficulties to me. Getting to know other people and finding my independence.”
Ellie Wheatley, another participant, who is partially deaf due to a condition called CMV which was passed onto her at birth by her mother, said: “It’s good for my confidence, it gives me opportunities to get out and interact with the wider world. There’s no sport where you’re at a height, you’ve fallen over half the time, but you’re still smiling at the end of it.”
Solent Ski Club look forward to January 18th, where they will take a group of their disability skiers on their annual trip to Folgaria in Italy, to enjoy the experience on real snow, in the mountains.
The wait is over for Winchester’s burger lovers, as a new Five Guys restaurant has opened in the heart of the city centre.
The American burger chain, world famous for its customisable smash burgers and seemingly bottomless fries opened on Monday, December 2nd.
It was a soft launch without any ceremony for the restaurant, but the new staff and management immediately had a growing queue of customers on their hands.
Five Guys has taken one of three units from the former Debenhams department store. The other two are Nando’s which opened last month and Pizza Express.
Founded in Virginia in 1986, Five Guys launched in the UK in 2013 and has become a popular choice for burger lovers, including celebrities such as Tommy Fury, Mollie King, Ed Sheeran, and Maya Jama.
There are now 1,800 restaurants worldwide including 171 in the UK.
The new Winchester branch is expected to be a popular addition to the city’s food scene.
The discovery of a piece of guerrilla artwork that appeared overnight has drawn the attention of Winchester locals. Kit Fountain reports.
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