ROMSEY Rapids is to get more than £250,000 worth of improvements as part of an investment package to upgrade sporting facilities across the borough.

Places for People (PfP) has promised to upgrade the Southampton Road complex just months after taking over as Test Valley Borough Council’s new leisure provider.

The cash will be spent at the centre, which celebrated its 25th anniversary two years ago, on new gym equipment and improved changing facilities.

Hampshire and Dorset area manager for PfP, Peter Leamore, confirmed the firm will splash out £18 million worth of investment borough-wide.

Up to £16 million of this will be used to improve facilities in Andover, with the majority of that cash being spent on building a new leisure centre.

The PfP boss has also promised investment in other facilities in the wider Test Valley area, including a new gym at Knightwood Leisure Centre in Chandler’s Ford.

And although investment is expected to come throughout the life of PfP’s 30 year contract, the initial £18 million will be used to fund improvements within the next two years.

“At Romsey we will be purchasing £250,000 of new gym kit and looking to improve changing facilities,” said Mr Leamore.

Construction work officially began on the company’s biggest investment, the new Andover Leisure Centre, last week.

Building contractors, Pellikaan, moved onto West Street Car Park and have since started their preparations to demolish part of the old facility.

The specialist Dutch company, responsible for building the majority of PfP’s new leisure centres, is expected to begin tearing down the old swimming pool and sports hall in September.

Following investigation and ground improvement work, construction will then begin on the new centre, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2019.

As well as the building, Mr Leamore also outlined the company’s plans for facilities inside the centre, including introducing a new “clip and climb” climbing activity.

The PfP chief says the company wanted to bring a new type of activity that “doesn’t currently exist” in the area.

As reported, the new provider took over the post from Valley Leisure on April 1.