A MULTI-MILLION pound Hampshire leisure centre is on course to open after builders have reached an important milestone in the facility’s construction.

The £25million Fleming Park Leisure Centre is undergoing a major redevelopment which will see new facilities including 15-badminton court sports hall, gym and studios along with an eight-lane swimming pool and a learner pool with a floor depth that can be altered depending on use.

The council has produced a video allowing residents to see the progress already made on site.

The centre has recently reached an important milestone with a “topping out” ceremony to mark completion of the main structure.

Councillor Keith House, Eastleigh Borough Council Leader, added the finishing touches to the roof of the sports hall at the centre. He was joined by representatives of main partners - funders, Sport England, developers, Interserve Construction Limited and centre operators, PfP Leisure.

A spokesperson from Eastleigh Borough Council said that the centre will deliver economic, as well as health and fitness, benefits and added: “We are now about half way through the Fleming Park Leisure Centre build programme, which is currently running to schedule and we’ll announce an opening date as we get closer to completion.”

The council has repeated it assurances that taxpayers will not foot the bill for the cost of the project.

As previously reported concern was raised by Eastleigh MP Mims Davies who said that the borrowing of millions of pounds and the council’s “financial mismanagement” would probably see services under threat.

However, a spokesman from Eastleigh Borough Council has said: “The cost of the council’s borrowing for the new leisure centre is fully met by the rental income that will be received from the operators of the facility.”

The new centre will also be family-friendly, with a crèche and a soft play area incorporating party rooms and it will continue to be the base for the council’s HealthWorks health promotion team.

Fleming Park Leisure Centre continues to remain open as the new facility takes shape next door with the council.

Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Councillor Keith House, said: “As a very high-quality venue for fitness, sport and health, the new Fleming Park Leisure Centre will help make Eastleigh a healthier borough – but will also bring real benefits to the local economy by creating jobs and giving business to local companies. ”