A new £13.5m, (US$20.4m, €15.7m) sports complex is being planned in Blackburn, replacing the "dilapidated" Waves Water Fun Centre, which began operations 26 years ago.

A survey of Waves said that it was "not sustainable" with annual running costs of £500,000 (US$755,000, €583,000), double that of Darwen Leisure Centre, which opened in 2010.

The proposed sports and swimming complex will be a joint venture between Darwen Council and Blackburn College, with Darwen borough's executive board paying £8.5m (US$12.8m, €9.9m) towards costs, while the College will provide the remaining £5m (US$7.55m, €5.8m).

The proposal includes an eight lane, 25-metre pool with two slides, a training pool, an 80 station fitness suite, a dance/aerobics studio with a sprung floor, sauna, steam room, two four-court sports halls and a sports science lab for college use.

Construction will start in September, with the sports halls, fitness and squash areas ready for September 2014 and the pool ready for use a year after that in 2015.

Residents are being asked for their views on the new complex to try and ensure the new centre provides the fitness and health options that local people want.