The cost of carrying out “essential” repairs to a council-owned leisure centre is increasing - with the local authority continuing the search for a new operator to run the facility.

Southampton City Council has invited charities and local groups to apply to take on a long lease for St Mary’s Community and Leisure Centre.

Interested organisations were recently invited to an open evening at the site in St Mary’s Road ahead of the application deadline of March 2.

The council previously confirmed that repairs to the Grade II-listed building would be completed before a community organisation moves in.

The proposed capital programme, which seeks full council approval on Wednesday, February 26, includes increasing the budget for this work by £500,000 to £2.5 million.

Debbie Ward, executive director of resident services, provided details on the plans for the centre at an overview and scrutiny management committee meeting on Thursday, February 20.

She said: “As the contract for the leisure provision, as it currently comes to a close at the end of March, there will be a continuity plan and communications in the local community to ensure that that process works and that the long lease arrangement, which we’re proposing to be bid on, will give us some partners or a partner to deliver those wider services and preventative works and investment in that community.”

Deputy leader and cabinet member for finance Cllr Simon Letts said the local authority was expecting around a dozen expressions of interest to take on the lease.

“The idea behind the project is to broaden out the use of the building from purely sporting to sporting and community,” Cllr Letts said.

“Of course that will potentially have additional income streams that will be generated through that approach.

“We have expectations of a reasonably competitive bidding process, which will lead to the awarding of a contract in probably the first quarter of next year (2025/26).”

The council said it will be offering the lease at a low cost, with the building remaining wholly owned by the local authority.

St Mary’s Community Leisure Centre was closed in late 2021 by the Conservative administration, but when Labour regained control of the council, the site was reopened in August 2022 after a campaign by residents.

The centre is currently managed by charity Active Nation, with facilities including a gym, badminton and squash courts, a hall for hire and activity rooms.

Civic bosses want an organisation that will work alongside residents, voluntary sector organisations and community groups to take over the management of the centre.