Work Begins at River Park Pavilion

Exciting news for Winchester! Work officially began last week on a brand-new community pavilion at River Park. Site setup is now underway, with construction set to start in the coming weeks.

Following Winchester City Council’s decision to invest £2.3m in this much-anticipated project, the new pavilion is being built to benefit communities across the district.

Councillor Kathleen Becker, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said: “It is great to see work begin at this site. The old facility was well used but was no longer fit for purpose. It has been a long road to get here, so seeing the building team on site today is a very welcome sight.

“The new community pavilion is going to welcome so many users. Cricket players, rugby players and our local ParkRunners will benefit from the new pavilion, making this space a hub of activity - in an accessible, contemporary and well-designed building.

“This redevelopment reaffirms this council’s commitment to support our residents to live active and healthier lives, whilst helping remove barriers for women in sport and those living with disabilities. It also offers a new community space in the heart of our beautiful River Park.”

The project is being delivered in partnership with Rekan Limited and Ridge and Partners LLP, with MCS appointed to lead the build on a Design & Build basis.

Justin Whiteman, Managing Director of MCS, said: “We are delighted to be entrusted to deliver this new pavilion which will serve as a vital asset for the local community. Our team is passionate about creating high-quality spaces that will stand the test of time, and we are proud to be part of a project that will have such a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

“We understand how important River Park is to residents, and we are committed to working closely with the council and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth construction journey.”

This project reflects a total investment of £2.3 million which includes capital funding from the city council, £1.5 million from district Community Infrastructure Levy and contributions from the Town Forum, The Pavilion Project and grant funding from Hampshire County Council.

Photo L-R: Dan Willis (MCS), Cllr M Tod, Cllr K Becker, Steve Lincoln (WCC) and Mark Townsend CIOB (MCS)

Photo Credit: Winchester City Council