Calderdale Council will invest an extra £4.5m in developing two new swimming centres in the towns of Sowerby Bridge and Brighouse. The money will come from prudential borrowing and is in addition to the £6m awarded to the council from the sale of Leeds-Bradford International Airport in 2007.

The centres, designed by Hertfordshire-based architects Saunders Boston, will include 25m, six-lane swimming pools, learner pools, fitness suites and refreshment areas.

The council has had long-standing plans to build a new swimming pool in Brighouse after the existing 100-year-old facility was closed indefinitely in June 2008, after repair costs were reported to be in excess of £1m. The new facility will be built on the site of existing tennis courts at Wellholme Park.

The Sowerby Bridge baths are being replaced having been deemed unfit for the 21st century at a recent public consultation.

Councilor Amanda Byrne, portfolio holder for community services, said: “A maximum of £10.5m has been earmarked for the overall leisure project, and it will also fund the relocation of tennis courts at Wellholme Park, in Brighouse, and a feasibility study into the refurbishment of the Halifax Pool.”

Construction is expected to begin Spring/Summer 2009 in the view of opening in 2010.