The Sports Council for Wales has unveiled plans for a water-based hockey pitch in Wrexham and an eight lane, 25-metre swimming pool in Conwy.

Dr Huw Jones, chief executive of the Sports Council for Wales, said it was extremely difficult to make a decision on the venues as a number of high calibre proposals were received: “This is testament to the support from local authorities and colleges to the development of high performance sport in the north.”

Conwy County Borough Council is to go ahead with submitting a detailed bid for the pool while the North East Wales Institute (NEWI) in Wrexham has been invited to proceed with plans for the regional hockey facility.

The Council will now work with both Conwy and NEWI to confirm the levels of funding required, refine plans and development details before an official award of lottery money can be made.

The two projects form part of the Sports Council for Wales’s national facility plan. The new stand at The Racecourse, Wrexham has been constructed with the contribution of lottery funds to help create a regional stadium. A North Wales Athletic Centre at Deeside College will be built with almost £1.5m of lottery money.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the sports organisations in North Wales to establish and further develop the regional squad structures for a range of age-groups in excellent facilities,” said Dr Jones. “We look forward to the governing bodies for hockey and swimming hosting national and international events at these excellent venues in the future.” Details: www.sports-council-wales.co.uk