March 2024

In September 2023, the Warden wrote to parents explaining that one of the principal reasons for the further delays to the Winchester College Sports Centre was leaks into the timber roof above the swimming pool. This remains a serious challenge and we continue to work closely with our main contractor (Kier) who is responsible for resolving these problems, and thus allowing us to use the pool.

Against this backdrop, we are currently in discussions with Kier about the practicalities of potentially making partial use of the new Sports Centre from the summer, with the swimming pool to be opened at a later date, once the problems with the roof have been resolved. 

Unfortunately, achieving this outcome is not straightforward. It raises significant issues around the functioning of the building and ensuring safe pupil access. But, we hope that this arrangement would allow pupils to make the most of the extensive facilities during Short Half - ideally from the beginning of the term. These include the double-sized sports hall incorporating a climbing wall, indoor cricket, badminton, futsal, volleyball, tennis and netball courts. In addition, there are 6 squash courts, 6 fives courts, the new Dojo, gym, and the exercise and dance studios.

While there remains much work to be done behind the scenes in commissioning electrical and mechanical services, we hope the film below provides you with an insight into what the new Sports Centre will offer our pupils.