REVOLUTIONARY plans to redesign leisure in the town have been approved by the council and the redevelopment will begin in early 2020.

The new leisure centre, complete with a pool with a movable floor, a library, and apartments built on the Carnival Pool site, will be focused around a new promenade in Wokingham Town Centre.

Residents originally voiced their concerns with the lack of a splash pool.

The carnival site will, like the town centre feature a new signalised pedestrian crossing on Wellington Road and a footpath leading up through the Elms Field park.

The current library will be closed down when the new facility is built on the Carnival site.

Councillor Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development and regeneration, said: “We are pleased with the committee’s decision which recognises what an excellent asset the new facility will be for the local area. 

"These proposals are the result of many years of consultation with local residents and businesses to identify the types of sports, leisure and community facilities we need to deliver in the area."

The plans approved follow the first Carnival redevelopment phase which includes a new 529 space multi-storey car park and Wokingham Superbowl.

Cllr Stuart Munro added: “The redevelopment of the Carnival site is a major opportunity to create a flagship leisure centre and library which will offer so much for the local community.

"It’s not just about the fantastic sports facilities that will be created but the added extras such as the large studio spaces, which can also be used for community events, and the four court sports hall which can change into a four hundred seat performance venue for lectures and theatre events.

"The new library space, with its added flexibility, will also be able to offer a much larger range of events and activities to the local community.”