PLANS for the new swimming pool at York's Barbican Centre were unveiled today.

Two sets of plans have been released showing what the pool could look like in the future.

The options which have been put forward for public consultation are for either an eight-lane county standard pool or a smaller six-lane community pool.

Residents now have until August 8 to decide which facility they want to come to the city.

The plans also show details including spectator seating and changing facilities.

An exhibition about the swimming pool, which has been held at the Barbican Centre, will conclude this week.

But information will still be available at City of York Council's Leisure office, which is located at Back Swinegate.

A planning application for the pool is expected in the autumn.

Residents will be able to give their views on other matters such as parking and traffic issues.

The proposal for a large county standard pool has been backed by the city's Labour party.

But the council's Liberal Democrat leaders are supporting plans for a community pool, which would create £1.4 million by increasing the amount of housing on the site.

The proposal would retain a fitness centre at the leisure facility but plans for a four-star hotel would be dropped. The £1.4 million generated by the extra housing would be used to refurbish Yearsley and Edmund Wilson pools.

Whichever option is supported by local residents, building is expected to start in February.

Updated: 09:15 Friday, July 25, 2003