Plans for a new £6m sports centre including a 50-metre pool, indoor running track and gym in Castletown were unveiled to the public last week.

The meeting was ’very good’ said Dave Parnell, a town commissioner who is behind the project with Ralph Peake MHK and Roger Raatgever.

Some misconceptions have already arisen. They are at pains to emphasise the centre does not include an Olympic-sized pool for competitions.

Rather it is for a 50m, four lane pool (that can be separated by buoys and used simultaneously by clubs and the community) for training and recreation.

It is on land that would be leased from King William’s College, by the Janet’s Corner estate. The centre is for the entire community and KWC would be a customer like everyone else. The five retail units are not shops but spaces where, for example, sports therapists could operate.

Mr Parnell, Mr Peake, a swimming coach and Mr Raatgever, chairman of Microgaming all have different experience but are united in their interest in sport and realisation that such a world class facility is needed and a huge asset for the island.

They say the site is the only suitable one in town. It’s greenfield but does not have the expensive costs of a site earmarked for residential development, near the airport and the proposed Ronaldsway Technology Gateway business park. It’s also by Janet’s Corner estate and a 98 house estate to be built by Haven Homes.

A cycle path linking the Janet’s Corner estate to Poulsom Park is proposed by the local authority.

The charity Southern Community Sports Facility will lease the land off KWC and management of the site would be undertaken by a commercial operator, which would seek to make a profit.

The charity will outline certain conditions - such as weekly sessions for children - as part of the agreement with the operator. Profits will be split between the operator and the charity.

Running costs are expected to be met via gym memberships, and from the retail units at the site.

The facility is not intended to compete with other public sector pools.

Given Castle Rushen High School and pool is about to undergo redevelopment this is perfect timing, said Mr Parnell.

If permission is granted, development will soon follow and the success - or otherwise - of the new sports centre will be known before decisions are made about the southern swimming pool.

Swimmers will benefit and be able to train on-island off-setting £20,000 currently spent sending swimmers off island.

Athletes such as sprinters would be able to train indoors year round.

The centre will be built to high environmental standards, collect rain water, be heated by photovoltaic cells and ground source heat.

The pool won’t be sunk into the ground, meaning it can be removed without leaving a permanent imprint.

â?¢ A public meeting for Janet’s Corner residents is planned in the coming weeks.