LEISURE chiefs have revealed for the first time images of Blackburn’s new swimming pool complex, which is currently under construction and due to open next year.

The artist impressions show what the Water Play Zone will look like, with two flumes, a shallow water area and a range of moving water features to keep youngsters entertained.

The complex will be part of the new £13 million Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, which is nearing completion off Feilden Street and replaces the existing sports department building at Blackburn College and the council-owned Waves swimming pool.

Blackburn with Darwen Council released the images yesterday, to coincide with the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The ‘speed’ and ‘family’ flumes will be a key feature, with the entrance boxes high up in the pool hall, before being routed outside the building on Nab Lane and coming back in to shallow ‘aqua-catchers’.

As well as a large six-lane pool, there will be a small pool with a moveable floor to allow the depth to vary from 200mm deep for toddler sessions or 1.8 meters for fitness swimmers.

Councillor Andy Kay, cabinet member for resources, said: “Here we have another major investment in leisure facilities.

“The new leisure centre will be a real asset to the borough with its first class facilities.”

“Witton Arena is open for business and attracting hundreds of users. It is important that we continue to invest in modern facilities to help improve the health and wellbeing of all our residents and to attract visitors.”

The scheme is a joint venture between the council and Blackburn College, with Eric Wright Construction carrying out the work.

The sports halls, which will be used by the college during the day but will be available in the evening and at weekends for block bookings by community groups, will open in September, with the pool opening in the New Year.

For more information about it people can email blc@blackburn.gov.uk.