Councils work together to pool resources.

City councillors in Durham have just agreed a multi-million pound city pool option to replace the 70-year-old current pool at Old Elvett with work expected to start in September 2006.

City council leader Coun Fraser Reynolds said: "Our decision to commit to an eight-lane facility and a greatly enhanced health and fitness provision within the development, is a huge step forward to deliver our long-term commitment to replace the old city pool. The capital cost of the project is pounds 10m with a further pounds 2m investment from the fitness suite partner."

Coun Ken Manton, leader of Durham County Council, owners of the proposed swimming pool site added: "We have been working very closely with the city council in bringing the scheme this far and by continuing to work in partnership, particularly in negotiating the release of the land; we hope to maintain the momentum.

"A modern swimming pool offers clear health, fitness and leisure benefits to schools in the surrounding area and of course, the general public too, who richly deserve a development of this sort."

The pool scheme represents a multi-functioning wet and dry leisure complex which is far more than an eight-lane swimming pool with a 150 set spectator balcony. There would be a fully partnered fitness suite, a multi-use room for dance, fitness and drama plus changing facilities.

The city council has estimated not only the capital build costs, but significantly, the projected running costs of the new facility. All projections have been subject to a robust risk assessment and the council may apply for `Trust Status' for the new facility, to limit the potential impact on council tax in future. It is envisaged that this pounds 12m facility will be adjacent to another multi-million pound development at Walkergate that is part of an overall pounds 30m city centre development by AMEC and forms a very important part of the regeneration around the riverside.