South Somerset District Council has announced plans for a £21m sporting development in Yeovil.

The Sport Zone plans include a 25m swimming pool, a sports hall, an indoor tennis centre, a dedicated gymnastics centre, a climbing wall, a 125-station fitness suite, a dance studio, a conference room, a synthetic turf pitch and a play area.

The new facilities are planned for the Yeovil Recreation Centre and will be added to the existing athletics track and mini-golf course.

Tim Carroll, leader of the council, said: “The Sport Zone proposals will take sporting facilities in the area up to the next level and put us on the map for sporting activities.

“We want to be able to host county and regional competitions and provide talented youngsters with the facilities to enable them to develop to their full potential.

“We know how important Yeovil Recreation Centre is to local people so we have kept the green spaces where people walk their dogs and fly kites, and the pitch and putt. The existing athletics track was recently refurbished and already provides a high-quality facility.”

The council is currently holding a public consultation on the plans – which will last until 24 August – and once the public’s views have been received and considered, final decisions will be taken by the council and a planning application will be submitted in 2008.

If the plans are approved, construction on the project could begin in autumn 2009 and be completed in 2011.