New £8m leisure centre for De Montfort University
A new £8m leisure centre, designed by the architects working on the London 2012 Aquatic Centre, is to be built at a Leicester university.
The two-storey building at De Montfort University, will include a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, eight racquet courts and fitness gym.
Work on the centre will start in April and is due to completed in July 2012.
It will be built on Western Boulevard, next to the current John Sandford Sports Centre, in Leicester's West End.
The university said the complex would be available for members of the public to use.
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, said: "This is magnificent news for the university and for the local community who will benefit from our excellent sports facilities.
"Despite the difficult challenges that the higher education sector is facing, we are committed to investing in the university's facilities, to offer the best to our students and to make a positive difference to the community.
"The new building is going to look spectacular and will provide a landmark entrance to the campus from the West End of the city."