AN OLYMPIC-SIZE swimming pool could be coming to a Hampshire city centre.

Sports campaigners in Winchester are optimistic that the pool which would be part of a new leisure centre to replace the crumbling River Park Leisure Centre will be given the green light.

Winchester City Council cabinet members voted to recommend a 50 metre pool for any future scheme but leader of Winchester City Council Stephen Godfrey and deputy leader Vicky Weston voted against.

It comes as councillors are set to decide this month whether to refurbish the River Park Leisure Centre or build a new one in Bar End, which has the space to provide the larger pool.

The new centre at either location would also have a 12 court sport hall, hydrotherapy pool, four squash courts, a fitness gym with four studios, soft play and cafe facilities.

However concerns were raised over the implications of borrowing £4.5m to pay for the pool, which would bring the overall cost of the project to around £34m.

The project itself has secured funding from Winchester University, The Pinder Trust and there's also a chance Hampshire County Council could contribute.

Winchester SALT and Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club who have been calling for the city to build on London Olympics legacy from 2012.

The Penguins currently don't have a facility for competitive swimming, the new facility will mean they can provide this.

Chief Executive of Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club, Sam Fulling also argued there is a clear demand and need for the pool as they have more than 100 children on their waiting list wanting swimming lessons.

Making a case for the pool, chief executive of the Winchester Sport Art and Leisure Trust Emma Back said the facility is vital in encouraging people to get active and to serve Winchester in the long-run.

Ms Back said: “We’re all hoping you opt to build facilities that are large enough and flexible enough to serve our community, now and for many years to come.

“If you do we’ll work with you to ensure the facilities are well designed, with programmes of use that maximise participation and meet local need.

“We are in another Olympic year now, with Rio 2016 opening in just a month’s time.

“Please, seize this opportunity. Please invest our resources wisely. You have the chance to do something wonderful for this community which will benefit local people for decades to come.”

While Lib Dem county councillor Jackie Porter said the pool will be vital in for the general health of Winchester as a city.

Councillor Frank Pearson said he favours the 50m pool, but is concerned about the financial implications.

Cllr Pearson said: "We should go for a 50m pool if we can afford it, but we do need an up-to-date costing."

Deputy leader Vicky Weston was against the 50m pool she said in debate: “We should aspire for the best and my heart says a 50m pool that’s what we should be going for, however the last thing we want is to overstretch our budget and the last thing I want is a project that is half built or does not meet expectations in other areas.”

The matter will be discussed again at a full Winchester City Council meeting on July 20.