Millions will be spent redeveloping the Commonwealth Pool

Edinburgh City Council is set to invest �100m transforming the old Royal Commonwealth Pool and building a new sports complex at Sighthill.

Councillors are expected to agree a bid to Sportscotland for cash to help with the cost of the programme next week.

A proposal to replace Meadowbank Sports Centre with a facility at Sighthill was announced in July of last year.

To pay for the work the council will have to sell the Meadowbank Centre and Leith Waterworld.

We are moving full steam ahead with our plans to have some of the best new sports facilities in Europe Donald Anderson Council leader

Money from the latter will go towards the �29.7m modernisation of the pool - built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games - which will feature a 50m eight-lane international standard pool, diving area and a fun pool similar to the one in Leith.

The council is also proposing a �48.8m centre at Sighthill, boasting major athletics facilities, a rugby pitch with up to 10,000 seats and sports halls, including a gymnastics training hall.

Both projects should be finished by 2011.

In addition there are plans to construct a �19m football centre at the Hunters Hall Park pitches and the authority is in discussions with Hibernian FC about the possibility of it being used by the club.

Sporting inspiration

Councillors are likely, however, to ditch plans to build a covered cycling velodrome there.

This could then be built in Glasgow, assisting the city's bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Cycling welcomed proposals for a track in Glasgow

Council leader Donald Anderson said: "We are moving full steam ahead with our plans to have some of the best new sports facilities in Europe.

"Hopefully they will inspire and support everyone from the professional athlete to the first timers."

Toni Whight, Scottish Cycling director of operations, said: "The proposal to locate the Scottish Cycling Centre in Glasgow will present a number of significant challenges for Scottish Cycling.

"However, with the support of Sportscotland, the relevant local authorities and the cycling community, I am sure that the opportunities being presented can be maximised and the new facilities will be a huge success."