Riding the Waves of Progress: Our Plan for Eastney
In 2027 a brand new combined GP and leisure centre will open in Bransbury Park - within walking distance of more than 30,000 people in Eastney, Milton, Southsea, and Baffins. We know that many of you are looking forward to this new facility, made possible by your Lib Dem-run council, which will include two modern swimming pools.
Not only will this new facility provide a range of activities in Bransbury Park, but it will also allow us to move forward with our plan to create an Eastney Beach Sea Water Sports Centre, which we've been working towards for over a decade. We know that a lot of people have strong views about the future of our community, which is why we want you to get involved and let us know what's impotant to you. Portsmouth City Council's leisure team have launched a consultation, open from today until 9 May, to get residents' views on this fabulous redevelopment opportunity.
Building on Portsmouth's successful hosting of the 2023 Formula Kite Championship in Eastney, our vision will create a nation-leading hub for sports like kiteboarding, kitesurfing, rowing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sea swimming. The development also gives us the chance to add facilities that you want onto our seafront; from showering and changing facilities to a café, retail space and creative studios.
I think a new sea sports centre in the heart of our community would be a marvellous addition to our seafront. The 'Windbreak' outdoor art gallery, the new Speaker's Corner plaza, and the 'Theatre of the Sea' behind Southsea Castle are fantastic examples of what an ambitious council - like our Lib Dem-led council here in Portsmouth - can achieve. A new watersports centre would lift the whole area and attract more world class events to Eastney like the Formula Kite European Championships in 2023 and 2025 Sailing GP.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Councillor for Eastney and Craneswater
Portsmouth Lib Dems and Portsmouth City Council see the upcoming demolition of the old Eastney swimming pool as a chance to create better, more sustainable, and more accessible leaisure facilities for our city. The current building, which is 120 years old and has been closed permanently since 2020, is in a very poor condition with extensive structual issues with the walls and roof. The council's inspectors have shown that the condition of the old building is a danger to both staff and the public. The cost to make the existing building safe to use for another purpose would be extremely expensive. Under our leadership, Portsmouth City Council has a strong track record of making good use of your money and we're proud that our financial management means we can afford to invest in local facilities - something that not all our neighbours can say. That's why we're fighting for Portsmouth to keep its own council and identity by telling Keir Starmer and the Labour government to keep their Hands Off Portsmouth.
Portsmouth City Council's survey is open until midnight on 9 May at https://www.research.net/r/Eastneywatersports_g.