Peterborough’s long-awaited replacement swimming pool has moved another step closer, but the price tag has moved too.

Cabinet is being asked on Tuesday 25 August to formally accept an anticipated £20 million Government grant towards the Sports Quarter leisure development.

The money is intended to support the new eight-lane, 25-metre pool.

The wider plan is much bigger than a replacement pool.

It also includes a 20-metre activity pool, café, family play, health and wellbeing rooms, a 150-station fitness suite, two studios and a spin studio.

The bigger talking point is cost.

The council says the original £37.1 million budget was based on early designs.

The proposed development budget is now around £43 million, including a 7% contingency.

Highways work and higher construction-material and equipment costs are among the reasons given.

If approvals keep moving, site clearance is planned for November, with main construction starting early next year and an autumn 2028 opening being targeted.

That gives Peterborough a much clearer proposition than “we’re getting a pool.”

The question now is what residents expect for £43 million.

For some people the test will be lane swimming and lessons.

For parents it may be the activity pool and family play.

Others will care more about accessibility, parking, gym facilities and the price of actually using the place once it opens.

A big building is one thing. A leisure centre people can afford and fit into normal life is another.

What would make the new Sports Quarter worth £43 million to you?