And the £12 million development at The Dimple gathered pace with a £500,000 funding boost from Sport England received this week.

The winning concept diagram from Drivers Jonas architects includes facilities for aerobics, dance, fitness classes, martial arts, table tennis and yoga.

There will be a cafe, meeting rooms and a community room to replace the present Darley Dale Community Centre.

BMX trails and games and wildlife areas will also be built beside the existing football pitches.

Stephen Jepson, from Drivers Jonas, said: "We're delighted to have won this exciting and challenging project, which I am convinced will provide a first-class facility for the community."

Derbyshire Dales District Council will invest around £7million in the project, which will be funded partly through the controversial sale of the Sherwood Hall site.

Matlock Lido will be sold to assist with funding after the new leisure centre has been completed.

Sport England investment manager James Buller said: "Sport England is delighted to present Derbyshire Dales District Council with the opportunity to improve its sporting facilities by providing funding for the new leisure complex.

"We hope it provides a huge boost for sport in the district, helping more people get involved in sport and reach their potential," he added.

District council deputy leader Cllr Geoff Stevens said the new leisure centre would be well received by residents.

Cllr Stevens said: "This will be a striking high quality development offering a wide range of opportunities.

"The site and the key facilities were identified after extensive public consultation.

"The great news is the detailed design process can now begin working towards completion and opening in the summer of 2011," added Cllr Stevens.

To see the detailed concept diagrams of the new centre click here.