COUNCILLORS will decide next week whether to go ahead with a £3.2 million scheme to build a new sports hall next to the Splash.

The scheme is one of three options for the future of sports provision which will be discussed by Malvern Hills District Council's executive committee on Tuesday (December 17).

The council has been looking at the possibilities for more than six months but the final decision looks set to be taken next week.

Whichever option is chosen, the council will agree to accept £500,000 from SLM, operators of the Splash, in exchange for a 10-year operating contract for the complex.

The first option is to build a new sports hall in Priory Road, next to the Splash, at a total cost of £3.2 million, of which the council would pay £2.7 million.

The second is to abandon the Priory Road scheme and only improve the Splash, with "further consideration" being given to capital investment in sport and recreation facilities.

The third is to build sports facilities for community use at one or both of Malvern's high schools.