A HAMPSHIRE sports centre is in line for a £250,000 upgrade.

The Hamble Sports Complex will also come under new management from September.

In a 15 year contract with Eastleigh and Hampshire councils the centre will be run by Everyone Active - a Leicestershire-based company which operates 173 leisure centres around the UK.

Now leisure bosses have pledged to put in the cash to create a new fitness suite and studio with “state-of-the-art” equipment. Some money will also go towards providing fund more and bigger classes. he sports complex will continue to be home of Dynamo School of Gymnastics, Hamble Hockey Club, JEM Tennis, Aquarius Indoor Bowls Club and Hamble United FC.

Ian Cook, regional contract manager for Everyone Active, said: “We are proud to be working alongside The Hamble School, Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council to manage the Hamble Sports Complex.“The Hamble School have built excellent relationships with not only the sports groups that use the facility but also within the wider community and we look forward to providing a high-quality service to ensure the Sports Complex is a facility the whole community can be proud of.”

Alaric Govan, headteacher of the Hamble School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Everyone Active and would like to thank Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council for their support in enabling this to happen. We are confident that this appointment will bring a wealth of opportunities for our local community, parents, students and staff at the school.”

Councillor Keith Mans, executive lead member for children’s services at the county council, said: “I am pleased that the investment that we, and Eastleigh Borough Council, are making in improving the facilities at Hamble Sports Complex will benefit the wider, local community, as well as the students at Hamble College. The funding we have agreed for upgrading the facilities will help to retain existing members, as well as attract new members, generating income that can be re-invested to maintain the complex to a good standard and keep people coming through the doors.”

Everyone Active also run Fareham and Holy Hill leisure centres.