BASILDON has taken a giant step towards getting a state-of-the-art sports village, complete with Essex's first Olympic-sized swimming pool.

After more than three years of uncertainty, the Government has confirmed it will part-fund the £35million sports complex in Gloucester Park.

The aim is now to get the village fully operational by 2010 - in time to act as an Olympic training camp for the 2012 games.

Tony Hedley, Basildon councillor responsible for leisure, who has led the project, said: "This is terrific news.

"Our plans will create a community hub, with a wealth of activities affordable and accessible to everybody.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reverse decades of underfunding in leisure and provide sporting inspiration to a whole new generation."

Rod Smith is manager of the South Essex Gymnastics Club which will move from its Cranes Farm Road base to a new gymnastics centre at the site.

He said: "The new centre will double our hall-space and allow us to increase membership and reduce our waiting lists.

"We are very excited about getting a state-of-the-art facility in the centre of Basildon."

David Lewis, a Basildon Swimming Club committee member, added: "We have been hopeful of getting this in place.

"It is great news and now we hope to be more involved in shaping the final plans, which will be terrific for the club and for swimming in Basildon."

Announcing the £5million Government contribution, Judith Armitt, Thames Gateway's chief executive, said: "The Sporting Village is a great example of local partners working together to deliver a project to raise sporting achievement, encourage healthy lifestyles and create a landmark building.

"It will improve the already attractive environment of Gloucester Park.

"I look forward to seeing this project move forward."

The council already had £5million pledged from Essex County Council and has itself promised to invest £15million from the sale of the existing Gloucester Park pool site, Markhams Chase Leisure Centre, the gymnastics club site and part of Basildon Golf Course.

The final £10million will come from a private firm, which will design, build and run the centre for the council.

It must now put the chance to be involved out to tender to firms from across Europe before a planning application can be finalised.

The village proposals include:

  • A 50-metre pool
  • An eight court multi-use sports hall
  • A new centre for South Essex Gymnastics Club, currently based in Cranes Farm Road
  • A high-tech fitness gym
  • Eight outdoor football and rugby pitches
  • A dozen netball courts
  • A new stand for the existing athletics track
  • A children's play zone
  • A dance and martial arts studio
  • New community halls
  • A climbing wall
  • A cafe and a bar
  • A new medical centre.