£2.5M proposals to create a new water sports centre at Eastleigh’s Lakeside Country Park went on show to the public yesterday - but just five people turned up to have a look.

Council officers, however, said they were undeterred by the apparent lack of public interest, saying they had received a positive response so far.

The plans went out to consultation as Eastleigh Borough Council appointed Brighton-based architects RH Partnership (RHP) to oversee the project.

The popular site, off Wide Lane, attracts 10,000 visitors a year, with many trying their hands at activities including canoeing, open water swimming, fishing, model boating and dog training.

Under the plans the current storage barns and small visitors’ centre would be demolished, making way for two new buildings with six changing rooms, increased storage, toilets, catering, a function room capable of seating 60 people and a changing facility for disabled users.

The buildings would be twice the size and follow the natural curve of the waterside in an ‘S’ shape.

Andy Butler, project manager for the council, said: “These buildings have reached the end of their useful life and there are a lot of problems with the current site.

“There is an opportunity for groups to increase usage and for other groups to use it by improving what we have got.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted on September 15 with a view to open the new facilities in spring 2016.

If given the go-ahead Mr Butler said from February next year facilities will be transferred to temporary buildings in the nearby car park so building work can get under way without too much disruption and activities will continue as normal.

The council has already committed £1m from its New Homes Bonus to the project – money that comes from central Government for building social housing.

Council leader Cllr Keith House has said the remainder of the funding would be through future income from the centre and there was no plan to increase charges.

The exhibition is open today from 10.30am to 12.30pm.