EAST Hampshire District Council is searching for a partner to deliver and maintain top class sports and leisure facilities in the district, including the Taro Leisure centre in Petersfield.

The council has invited leisure providers to tender for the right to work with the council in delivering new facilities in Whitehill &and Bordon and in Alton and upgrading the Taro Leisure Centre.

The right partner would work alongside the council to invest in, develop and manage these facilities into the future.

The selection process, which began on Monday 14 December, will see the chosen partner in place by March 2017.

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC’s Deputy Leader, said: “By working in close partnership with established leisure operators we will be able to deliver the facilities and services the people of East Hampshire expect.

“We are very excited to see what opportunities will come forward as this procurement develops. The proposed Joint Venture partnership approach is aimed at maximising the commercial performance to enable investment in East Hampshire’s facilities, with the aim of providing a high quality leisure offer, while still continuing to provide access for all to our leisure facilities.”