Plans for city sports facilities

Plans to build a sports centre with an Olympic-size swimming pool are hailed as an important step to combat rising obesity and improve life expectancy.

Peterborough City Council is starting a major consultation on sporting facilities for the area.

Central to the strategy is the creation of a new city centre sports complex.

This could include an Olympic-size swimming pool, sports halls and outdoor facilities. Other options may include 24-hour opening at sports centres.

Outdoor and indoor sports

During the consultation people will be asked to list their top five sports preferences from a selection.

The choices include an Olympic-size swimming pool, leisure pool with slides and wave machine, multi-purpose sports hall, aerobics dance studio, outdoor sports pitches, and athletics tracks.

Elaine Jewell, the city's head of culture and recreation, confirmed the council is aiming to combat rising obesity and improve life expectancy.

"We've had plans for about three years to improve sports facilities in the city in line with government health targets.

"We're consulting residents because we want to introduce facilities that will help people enjoy sport and also give the city an asset it can be proud of."