A search is under way to find designers to help two West Cumbrian towns improve their leisure facilities.
Cleator Moor and Millom have been offered millions of pounds from the Government as part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund to ensure they thrive into the future.
Plans are in the pipeline for a community and leisure hub with a swimming pool and 3G pitch, plus investment in outdoor space at Millom and Haverigg park in Millom.
And a sports centre, including a gym, studio space and cafe is lined up for Cleator Moor.
Now the search is on for teams to design the new facilities, which will be required to develop outline proposals, taking into account local feedback.
Cleator Moor secured a £22.5 million offer and Millom £20.5 million from the Towns Fund.
Both have town boards, which are working with Copeland council on the schemes.
Both boards said: “The proposal aims to help people to improve their health and wellbeing while also generating more reasons for people to visit and spend time in the towns – increasing footfall and spend to boost economic growth.”
Mike Starkie, Copeland mayor, said: “Nothing can be more important to us as a community than improved levels of health and wellbeing for everyone – and we know why the projects will help us to achieve this alongside a whole host of wider benefits.
“We also know securing a new swimming pool has been a community priority in Millom for a very long time.
“Appointing a design partner for the pool and hub is a milestone in the journey and I’m looking forward to seeing the proposals begin to take shape.
“The significant step we are now taking marks a milestone in this project and brings us closer to the reality of having state-of-the-art leisure facilities at the heart of Cleator Moor.
“Securing funding for projects like this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity and I’m looking forward to seeing the proposals begin to take shape.”
Cleator Moor and Millom were among 101 towns invited to bid for a share of the Government’s Towns Fund in 2019 – part of its Levelling Up agenda.
