by Martin Jefferies

After years spent treading water, Ramsgate finally looks set to get a new swimming pool.

Thanet council has unveiled plans for a £3.5 million pool at the town's sports centre.

It would also feature a two-storey luxury spa, with a steam room, sauna and hydro pool, as well as treatment rooms, foot spas and a nail bar.

The new facility is expected to open in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Cllr Martin Wise, cabinet member for community services at Thanet council, said: "This new swimming pool will provide exceptional facilities for the people of Ramsgate and Thanet.

"It will improve the lives of local people, not all of whom can afford the expense of a monthly or annual membership at a private gym or pool."

The new leisure complex will replace the existing swimming pool in Newington Road, which was built almost 40 years ago.

Mike Marsh, cultural manager at Thanet council, warned of the "consequences of inaction".

He said the cost of repairing the old pool could eventually force the building to close anyway, leaving Ramsgate with no swimming facilities at all.

Mr Marsh said: "The Newington Road pool is a tired facility and although it's kept immaculately clean, lots of money is required just to keep it going.

"To bring it up to modern day standards would cost just as much as building a new pool but we wouldn't reap all the benefits, such as improved energy efficiency."

Local taxpayers will not have to pay for the project, even though Thanet council has no money set aside for the works.

The costs will be met instead by Alliance Leisure - the company behind the £1.6 million improvement scheme at Hartsdown Leisure Centre, Margate, earlier this year.

It will be repaid through the extra revenue that the new facilities will generate.

Alliance Leisure has completed more than 80 similar projects across the UK and council bosses are confident that the Ramsgate scheme will be completed on time and within budget.

Cabinet members at the authority will be asked on Thursday to approve the plans.

Work would then start early next year and take around 13 months to complete.

The existing swimming pool in Newington Road will remain open until the new facilities are ready.

Ramsgate Sports Centre, in High Street, may need to close for up to two weeks to accommodate the building work.

Membership prices have not yet been confirmed.

However, Steve Davis, managing director of Thanet Leisureforce, which runs leisure services across the isle, said the facilities would be "high quality but affordable".