PLANS for a new state-of-the-art sports centre for Huddersfield went on display for the first time yesterday.

And the proposals were met with enthusiasm when they were unveiled at Huddersfield Library, the first stop on a tour of Kirklees.

Locals gathered to see the colourful display of artists’s impressions and plans, including the proposed layout, how the centre would look and what facilities would be available.

And many agreed that the £36m centre at Springwood would be a welcome boost for the town.

Jan Tommley, 56, from Longwood, said: “I think it will be a big pull for Huddersfield. At the moment people have to travel a long way to get to similar facilities so having this would keep people here as well as encouraging others from outside the town.

“I think it will also be a boost to the local economy, bringing more people to the shops at this end of the town that have been struggling and closing down.

“It would be better to have something at this end of town. It’s close to the stations and much more accessible as you haven’t got the barrier of the ring road.”

Greenhead College student Richard Lewis, 17, from Netherthong, felt the centre would be a bigger draw to young people.

He said: “It seems like it might be a big improvement on the one we’ve got at the moment, which is looking a bit dated.

“It looks a lot bigger and like it will offer more things to do for younger people. I think having an Olympic-sized pool would be fantastic and a big draw for people.

“I think it’s about time we had something more modern and I will definitely be tempted to use it.

“It would bring a lot more people into the town because at the moment the nearest centre like it is the Metrodome in Barnsley.”

The centre, which could be open by 2012, would include a leisure pool complete with wave machine, flume and sidewinder.

There would also be a teaching pool, two large sports halls, a fitness suite and children’s area.

The Spring Grove car park proposal is part of a massive redevelopment plan for the town centre, which involves demolishing the existing sports centre on Southgate to make way for a new Tesco.

While they supported a new sports centre, some residents were critical of the supermarket’s plans.

Joan Munt, 78, from Bradley, said: “I think we could do with a new sports centre but what worries me is what’s going to be put there.

“I think they can make better use of the site – we’ve got enough supermarkets already!”

The display is in the reference section of the library until March 26.