East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) has launched a series of public events to allow local residents to comment on outline design proposals for a new £13m leisure centre in Rushden.

The new Manor Park complex will replace existing facilities at the Splash Leisure Pool and the Pemberton Centre, which will then enable the two sites to be made available for the wider regeneration of the town centre. Facilities at the proposed new leisure centre, which will be funded by the council along with £2m from the government's Growth Fund, will include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and teaching pool, a four-court sports hall, dance/exercise studios and a fitness suite.

Plans drawn up by FaulknerBrowns Architects will be put on display at a number of locations during the first two weeks of August, while The Mace Group, the international consultancy firm, has been appointed to manage the development project. David Oliver, ENC chief executive, said: "These are very challenging times for local government. It is now clear that significant cuts in public funding are in the pipeline, whichever party is in power.

"Despite this, the council is still committed to replacing the ageing facilities in Rushden with a single new, purpose-built centre that will be better able to serve the whole of the south of the district."