AMBITIOUS plans for Ellesmere Port’s long-awaited £14 million sports village are moving closer to reality.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has unveiled concept designs for the state-of-the-art replacement for the town’s ageing EPIC leisure centre.

Built on the old Stanney High School site, the sports village will include an eight court hall seating 1,400 people, a 25 metre competition swimming pool, learner pool and 80-station gym.

The existing athletics track will be transformed to include a grand stand and indoor athletics venue.

Cheshire Jets basketball club are planning to move into the new arena and it is hoped further clubs will follow.

CWaC has already committed £12.5 million to the project with executive members being asked to approve a further £1.5 million next month and council applying for additional funding from Sport England.

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and recreation, said: “This is very much the beginning of the process to provide residents of Ellesmere Port with a high-class leisure offer and many of the ideas are in concept stage.

“We are working with both stakeholders and members of the public to make sure that local needs are met in the final designs and already have the support of Sport England and the Cheshire Jets, who will call the facility home.

“The door is still very much open for local residents and stakeholders to have their say and help to shape the final plans but I think the concept designs are extremely exciting and will offer our residents in Ellesmere Port, and indeed visitors from further afield, high-class facilities.

“We will continue to engage with all throughout the design process, and a second public consultation will take place before the planning application next year.”

Council chiefs hope to have the final designs in place by April with construction starting next autumn and the sports village opening in spring 2015.

Ellesmere Port councillor and Labour opposition leader Justin Madders has welcomed the plans but has urged residents and sports clubs to have their say on the proposals.

He said: “I welcome the news that plans for our town’s future leisure facility have now been put down on paper but there is still a way to go before we have our final design.

“I would urge local residents, stakeholders and community groups to look carefully at the plans so far and get involved in the future consultations to make sure we end up with a facility that meets all of the community’s needs and aspirations.

“In particular, I hope that it can be demonstrated that there is sufficient support for a larger, 50 metre pool that would serve as a regional centre of excellence.

“The chance to shape the town's major leisure facility is a once in a generation opportunity and I hope that we use this opportunity to show that the town deserves the very best.”