PLANS for Blackburn’s new £13.5 million sports and swimming complex go on display to the public for the first time.

They will be exhibited in the Waves Water Fun centre which will be replaced as part of a major scheme by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackburn College.

Borough leaders hope the new complex will provide a bigger and better leisure and swimming centre for both students and residents.

It will provide the public with a larger fitness gym, a six lane pool and aerobics studio.

On Tuesday - the opening of the two week long exhibition - the architects and engineers behind the design will be available for questions between 3pm – 6.30pm.

The new complex - partly-based on the successful Darwen leisure centre and swimming pool - will be more efficient than the former Waves building deemed too old and costly to run.

It will be built on the edge of the College campus next to the Feilden Street multi-story car park.

The 26-year-old Waves will be demolished and the site will be sold for development by the council.

The facilities at Blackburn leisure centre will include: • six-lane pool ; • learner pool with moveable floor; • two flumes including a family ride flume; • water play features; • fitness gym; • aerobics studio; • two sports halls; and • health suite; It will offer a wider range of dry sports activities.

Council leisure boss Damian Talbot, said: “We want to hear people’s views on the plans. The new leisure centre is an exciting development in the town centre and the facilities will be state-of-the-art.”