FINAL plans are being prepared for a major new recreation and leisure development at Parr.

The scheme envisages the expansion of the present indoor swimming pool to three times its size with additional facilities on land around it.

It is estimated the St Helens Council project could cost more than £5 million and already has had SRB backing. Funding from the National Sports Lottery will be sought in the New Year.

The detailed plans for the project have been drawn up after extensive consultation. Local sports organisations and other community groups have been among those asked for their views. Original proposals have been amended to take on board local opinion.

"We have had about 500 responses to our requests for views on the plans and the vast majority have been very positive about what we are planning," said the chairman of St Helens Leisure Committee, Councillor Keith Deakin. "The council has taken on board some of the suggestions and ideas that have been put forward and these have now been incorporated into the plans. We will be putting the plans on display locally in the next few weeks and there is still a brief period where we can look at further adjustments before we press on with our bid for funding."

He added that it could be 12 months before the council knows if it can obtain the financial backing it needs for the scheme but if all goes well the extended centre could be in operation by 2003.

The plans envisage that the existing swimming pools will be served by new changing rooms with specific facilities for disabled people and for families. There will also be a sports hall capable of accommodating up to six badminton courts and will be used for a variety of sports.

They also include a large soft-play area for under-eights, a small hall for activities such as judo and aerobics, a sauna and steam room, a fitness suite and an indoor facility for traditional bowling. There will also be a meeting room available to local community groups.

Outside the centre there will be three floodlit artificial turf pitches for five-a-side football, netball, hockey or rugby training, together with four floodlit tennis courts. An abandoned bowling green on the site will also be brought back into use under the scheme to complement the indoor rinks. To encourage people to leave their cars at home, the centre will also have secure cycle parking, links to the local bus services and there will be closed circuit TV monitoring inside and outside the building.

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