Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Winchester City Council to build a £38m sport and leisure facility at Bar End.
The company will build the centre to replace the River Park Leisure Centre which is more than 40 years old. The appointment is subject to the project receiving planning permission.
The new facility will include a 50m swimming pool, a separate teaching pool with movable floor, an eight court sport hall, four squash courts, 200 gym stations, two large studios and one spin studio. There will also be a hydrotherapy suite and eight treatment rooms.
Councillor Lisa Griffiths, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing and cabinet member for Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, said: "Appointing early allows us to hit the ground running once planning consent is granted and work can get started."
Willmott Dixon, whose plan for the build includes a strong commitment to developing apprenticeships for local people, is working with architects Stride Treglown and subject to planning consent, due to be considered this autumn, will start construction in spring 2019 with completion in early in 2021.