A major investment in a city’s main sports site could finally get under way in the coming weeks – but the scheme is forecast to be over budget.

Southampton City Council is delivering a raft of improvements at the Outdoor Sports Centre, including a new hub building and enhanced facilities.

The scheme has faced delays and revisions due to concerns it would not be possible to deliver it with the money available.

An update was given at a full council meeting on November 27 following questions from Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Richard Blackman around delays with capital investment projects.

The Bassett ward member said hold ups, including with the Outdoor Sports Centre, caused “a lot of disappointment” for residents.

Cllr Simon Letts, Labour deputy leader of the local authority, said the scheme’s main contractor, Morgan Sindall, had been carrying out a value engineering process to ensure the council got the best value for money.

Cllr Letts said: “We expect it to be on site really quite soon.

“By the end of the year if not into January and we expect it to be complete within the envelope.”

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The cabinet member for finance and corporate services said the project is currently expected to be slightly over budget.

This potential shortfall was presented to the council’s capital board following information provided by Morgan Sindall.

It has been recommended that additional funding is provided.

Councillors will make a decision on this in February, with an aim for project completion in 2026.

The development has been a drawn out process, with the first consultation events taking place 11 years ago.

Earlier this year, cabinet approved revising the scheme’s design from what was approved in 2022 and secured planning permission in 2023.

The alterations included reducing the size of the hub building and the number of covered courts from three to two, changes to the alpine ski lodge and relocating the learner slope.

In a report to February’s cabinet meeting, it was described as a £30million scheme, supported by £20million of levelling up funding from government and £4million from the Football Foundation.

The council has not confirmed the extent of the current forecast budget shortfall.

Cllr Letts said the project was “far further forward” than many other levelling up projects around the country.

He said: “Whilst I want to get it done as soon as possible and I want to get it done for the very good reason that it is one of the jewels in our crown and it needs to be sorted out, but I’m confident now all that value engineering process is complete, that we can move forward on it.”

Cllr Letts also confirmed that Sport England was looking “favourably” on a bid the council had made for additional revenue support at the centre.