PLANS for a huge aquadrome with slides, party rooms and padel courts have been confirmed.
The proposed £60million site would be located in a major UK market town.
A brand new Aquadrome could come to Basingstoke, in Hampshire, after the council confirmed a contract has been signed with Places Leisure to manage the site.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said that work will now begin to finalise the design of the water and leisure complex, ahead of submitting the planning permission this autumn.
According to the plans, the new £60million centre is set to include a 25-metre competition pool, a leisure park with slides, a 150-station gym, indoor play and party rooms.
A luxury health suite, Reformer Pilates studio and padel tennis courts have also been proposed.
If approved, the complex will be built in a new location on the leisure park, with an expected completion date of 2029.
The existing Aquadrome will remain open until the new facility is completed.
Places Leisure – who operate over 90 leisure facilities across the UK – will also take over the management of Basingstoke Golf Centre & Knights Realm Adventure Golf and Tadley Health & Fitness Centre from 2027.
The town‘s existing Aquadrome opened more than 24 years ago in 2002, and is currently run by Serco and Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust.
At the time plans were announced, Dan Walker, business development director at Places Leisure, said: “The new landmark leisure destination is an investment in health and wellbeing for the entire community.
“We look forward to working closely with local partners, colleagues, residents and community groups to shape a facility that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the area.”
The new Aquadrome forms part of a wider regeneration of the leisure park, which includes new play areas, nature trails, a “flexible use” plaza and cultural hub.