The centre, which is being designed and built by Interserve in collaboration with AHR Architects for Eastleigh Borough Council, is next to the existing leisure facility that will remain in full use during the 85-week build programme.

Preliminary work started earlier this month on the project, which will see the old leisure centre will be demolished after the new building is handed over.

Interserve’s UK operations director for regional building, Richard Ellis, said that the sports complex would include a larger swimming pool with eight lanes and a larger learner pool with a moveable floor.

The centre will also contain a 15-court hall, a large gym and four outdoor tennis courts.

The building will be constructed with a steel frame and pre-stressed concrete floors, while the pool will be made with reinforced concrete. Externally it will be clad in brickwork, aluminum and zinc rainscreen.

Eastleigh Borough Council Leader, Cllr Keith House said: “Interserve has a very good knowledge of, and relationship with, the local supply chain and is keen to work with us to ensure the new building achieves economic benefits locally. Interserve also wishes to work with us on recycling the old centre and believes it could recycle around 95 % of it.”