FRESH plans for a multi-sport complex have been unveiled in a bid to secure essential funding to help pay for it.

Colchester Council has published its new plans for the Northern Gateway sports centre, which include a state-of-the-art 1.6km road racing bike track, a BMX track, a horse riding course, an archery ground, as well as rugby league and rugby union pitches, which would also be used by American football side Colchester Gladiators.

A sport centre which will house badminton courts and table tennis tables is also planned, while there are also tentative plans for a gymnastics hall.

The plans also show a sports clubhouse and car park with 488 parking spaces.

An overflow car park would be situated on the archers’ ground.

The proposals - drawn up by architect firm GT+3 - for the 56-acre site have just been published and council bosses hope it will be agreed by representatives from all the sports, as well as organisations which could help fund the scheme, such as Sport England and the Rugby Football Union.

Paul Smith, Colchester Council leader, said: “This is our current vision for the Northern Gateway.

“Squash is already catered for across the borough, in fact we took away two courts in the Leisure World refurbishment because of a lack of demand for them, so we have not allowed for that in the sports centre.

“In terms of cycling, it brings a significant number of participants to events, whether it is time trials or traditional racing.

“Road racing actually on roads is proving less and less attractive, so with a dedicated track measuring 1.6km is likely to bring people in from across the region.”

The leader added: “Progress is being made is finalising the plans for what is a huge expansion of leisure facilities in Colchester and there is a huge vote of confidence in the borough from organisations who want to invest.”

There are also plans to create a simulated cycle lane for both beginners and for cyclists who want to boost their cycling confidence before going on to the roads.

Early plans had faced criticism from the Colchester Gladiators amid concerns the complex had “failed to satisfactorily replace the sports facilities currently based at Mill Road”.

On the fresh plans, Tom Burridge, a spokesman for Colchester Gladiators, said: “Essentially we applaud the council’s ongoing effort to engage clubs and foster as much usage of the new site as possible.

“It’s fair to say that there are still some questions around the mechanics of the site, and whether the pitches will be freely available for hire, or whether they are ringfenced for certain club use.

“The council has repeatedly stated they have configured the site to ensure most effective use of space, and so I hope they continue to pursue attracting new clubs and sports to the space.”

He added: “Given the constraints at Mill Road currently, and the restriction on who can use the site and when, I hope that Northern Gateway represents a fresh start and an opportunity to develop an inclusive community hub for as much local sport as possible.”

Other clubs have previously tentatively signalled their support for the scheme.

A spokesman for rugby league club, the Eastern Rhinos, said: “We are looking at what is best for us as a sports club and we will look to move - depending on details - to the new site, or, if it suits us, to find our own facility elsewhere.

“Our preference is to move to the new site as it looks good and I believe the new facility, if all is ironed out, will be in all sports best interests.”

A Colchester Rugby Club statement said: “We have always been very welcoming to other sports club and others to use our facilities at reasonable cost, the Gladiators included.”

The scheme is planned north of the A12, at junction 28, beside the Colchester Park and Ride.

The plans would see Colchester Rugby Club would leave its current home, in Mill Road, which is also used by Colchester Gladiators. That land would be freed up, potentially, for new homes to be built on.

To view the documents, go to colchester.gov.uk.