Detailed designs have been unveiled for the £5m revamp of the Redlands Community Sports Hub in Weymouth, Dorset.

Plans for the new centre are currently the subject of public consultation and include education and sports facilities to be used by professionals and the community alike. The college intends to install a synthetic eight-lane running track and grandstand, a 3G rubber crumb full-sized, flood-lit, artificial football pitch and three mini pitches. There could also be a new changing pavilion with a clubhouse, improved grass pitches and doubling in size of the centre's existing gym.

Kelly Bush, sports programme area manager at Weymouth College, said: “Olympic fever has already gripped Weymouth and if we are to preserve this interest for future generations, we will need sporting facilities of an international standard. “The Redlands scheme will offer great facilities for our students and the wider community and means our sports students will be able to develop their skills within the community, not just their peer groups.”

Weymouth College recently took over the management and running of the facility as part of a strategy to improve facilities in time for Weymouth to host the 2012 Olympic sailing and water-based events. The college expects to assume full control of the rest of the grounds from April 2009.Weymouth College is looking to secure funding from the Learning and Skills Council, National Governing Bodies of Sport, Sport England, the National Lottery and Dorset County Council.

“We want to expand the academic sports on offer from the college and this site will lend itself perfectly to enable us to achieve this”, said a spokesperson for Weymouth College. The college plans to forge links with neighbouring Wey Valley school, a specialist sports college, and Wyvern School to help make the facility a ‘sports hub’ for the town.