POOLE residents are being asked for their views on future proposals for a new leisure centre and swimming pool.

People can comment on the council’s preferred design specification of a new leisure facility as part of a longer term multi-million pound vision to transform the town centre.

A consultation will run until Wednesday, March 21.

The Dolphin Leisure Centre, which is part-run by Everyone Active, was built in the early 1970s and its current facilities include a 60-station gym, group exercise studio, three swimming pools, and a diving pool.

It attracts nearly 340,000 visitors each year, 150,000 of which are for water-based activities.

The interior is ageing and showing increasing levels of deterioration, and the council is facing rising maintenance costs to keep the centre running.

Emergency repairs to the diving pool costing £150,000 were approved in January. The work is required to reinforce concrete structures of the diving pool and tower, which have shown signs of deterioration.

Three options for the new leisure centre have been considered, and all would entail the operator being responsible for the upkeep of both the interior and exterior of the building – the council is currently responsible for the exterior.

The council’s preferred option for the replacement centre would cost £15.3 million to build and feature 120 gym stations, three studios and two swimming pools.

A moveable floor would be built into a larger and warmer learner pool measuring 20x10m, while the main pool would have eight lanes and measure 25x17m.

Cllr John Challinor, cabinet portfolio holder for culture, learning and leisure, said: “The council has already started to deliver an ambitious regeneration programme across the town centre and the revitalised offer includes a new cinema, restaurants and car parking facilities.

“A replacement leisure centre is a key component of the regeneration and will help people lead healthy active lifestyles as well enhancing the vision of the town centre as an attractive place to live and visit.

“I would encourage everyone to give their views and help inform further phases of planning in the coming years.”

The results of the consultation will be presented to cabinet on April 17. The feedback will be used to inform the final outline proposal for a replacement leisure centre.

People can give their views by completing the online survey at snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=151930046221. Paper copies of the survey will be available from the leisure centre and Poole Central Library.