A SHOWPIECE swimming pool and fitness complex is on course, and on budget, for its scheduled summer opening.

The pools and general sports development, in Freeman's Place, Durham City, will be known as Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre.

It will include an eight-lane 25- metre swimming and diving pool, with retractable floor, learner pool, dance studio, sports hall and well-equipped fitness centre.

City council officials gave guests a sneak preview, to view progress of the development, at the weekend. Hard hats and high-visibility jackets were worn by visitors, in what is still very much a building site.

Project overseer, Durham City Council's executive officer Dave Marrs, stressed the £12.5m development is on course to be open by the target date, in July.

Situated between Durham Sixth Form Centre and Walkergate leisure-hotel complex, it will have a distinctive curved structure, and three commissioned pieces of public art.

It will be a bright, airy building, making maximum use of natural light, and with an environmentally- friendly roof, acoustic and lighting features.

The facililties of the centre will be shared with the neighbouring sixth form centre, and further partnerships are planned with local swimming and sports clubs.

Its price structure is to be set to encourage maximum use by all groups across the city.

Although the council will oversee the centre, the fitness suite, with a target membership of 1,500, will be jointly run with the private leisure company, Competition Line.

Mr Marrs said: "While being a functional building, we have invested a lot of money to make it special, because we feel Durham City is special.

"We could have had a shed, but no one wanted a shed. We have an attractive curvy, linear building.

"A lot has been said about the cost, but I think most people seeing the centre would agree the money has been well-spent."

Once open, the centre will replace the Thirties-built city baths, in Elvet Waterside.