THE 20-year wait for a replacement for Durham City's crumbling swimming baths appears to be over, as plans were revealed yesterday for a £5.8m complex.

Proposals for a 25-metre eight-lane pool, close to the Walkergate development, are expected to be ratified by Durham City Council's cabinet on Monday.

Along with the baths, which will be fitted with a rising floor so the depth of the pool can be changed to suit adults and children, the proposed complex is expected to include a fitness suite with sauna and steam room, a dance studio, a healthy-eating caf, badminton courts and its own car park.

The pool complex, which is due for completion by the summer of 2007, replaces the ageing baths in Old Elvet, which were opened in 1932.

Council bosses say the existing pool building, which still has many of its original art deco features, including glazed tile walls and wooden flooring, is rapidly deteriorating.

The authority has been looking at replacing it for the past 20 years.

The long-awaited replacement is to be built at Freeman's Place, on land next to Gilesgate Sixth Form College, and only yards from the £30m Walkergate development.

Award-winning Nottingham-based architectural firm William Saunders, which has designed pools for Leeds, Sheffield and the Isle of Man, has been appointed to come up with a design for the building.

A detailed planning application is expected by September.

Construction work will be carried out by the Durham Villages Regeneration Company, the business set up by the city council and private developer Keepmoat plc.

Councillor Fraser Reynolds, leader of Durham City Council, said yesterday: "I am delighted to announce detailed plans for a new swimming pool, which was identified as a priority when we came into office two years ago.

"The old baths have served us well, but are no longer fit for purpose. We have procured the services of a first-class architect and we want an award- winning design that will fit into a historic setting and be an asset for everyone within the district."

Students from the sixth form college will be given use of the complex at discount rates.

Negotiations are under way to provide swimming lessons for all the district's schoolchildren.

A report on the financing of the new pool will be discussed at Monday's cabinet meeting. The city council is currently negotiating with Durham University over the future of the existing baths site in Old Elvet.