THE new leisure centre in Monmouth could cost around £7.4 million to build, a council report has revealed.

Plans include a two-storey extension to the current building, which will house a 25-metre swimming pool, gymnasium and children’s play facilities.

It is hoped the plans, submitted by Bradshaw, Gass and Hope LLSS on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council, will offer the community “additional and alternative” facilities.

In 2014, the local authority had estimated a cost of £5.5 million to replace the existing pool but a report that will be presented to councillors this week reveals the cost to be just under £7 million for the main build.

A £1.9 million Welsh Government grant is included within that total, along with £985,000 of Section 106 funds from the Wonastow Road housing development.

On Thursday, councillors will be presented with four proposals to mitigate the loss of the sports hall during the build, with one being the construction of a 700m building.

The temporary structure, which will cost an additional £415,430, has been described as “the most pragmatic” option by council officers.

This would bring the entire building costs to £7.4 million, with councillors set to approve or reject this funding package on Thursday.

Members of the council’s planning committee had agreed to the leisure centre proposals in April but some councillors expressed apprehension.

Cllr Debby Blakeborough claimed that an original application proposed a six-lane pool and told fellow committee members in April: “Monmouthshire started out with aspirations of an Olympic pool and ended up with a paddling pool.”

Chris Munslow, then-mayor of Monmouth, echoed the six-lane pool claims – a point which was dismissed by Cllr Phil Murphy, cabinet member for resources.

The full business case will be debated by councillors at 2pm on Thursday, and the meeting will be streamed on Monmouthshire County Council’s YouTube channel.