Wyre Forest District Council has appointed S&P Architects to draw up outline plans for a new £10.1m leisure centre in the Worcestershire district, which will provide a cost-effective alternative to existing facilities.

A council review into leisure provision in the region determined a new centre would save the council around £7.5m in maintenance costs over 30 years.

Council cabinet member for community wellbeing Ian Hardiman said: "The district deserves a modern, energy efficient building offering first class leisure and sporting facilities.

"S&P Architects are working with us for this stage of the project to help ensure we get a modern centre with the right mix of facilities within the budget."

At a minimum the centre, to be located on the former Victoria Sports Ground in Kidderminster, will include a sports hall, six-lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool, fitness suite and outdoor synthetic football pitches.

Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre will close when the new centre opens and the council is investigating whether it is financially viable to keep the Stourport Sports Centre open. The Bewdley Leisure Centre is likely to remain open.

A 10-year management contract with DC Leisure due to end this year has been extended until the new centre is open - expected to be 2015.

S&P Architects have designed 145 leisure centres across the country to date, including a new leisure centre for Dagenham, a sports academy for Scunthorpe Borough Council and a leisure and civic centre for Redcar Borough Council.