Developers of a £30 million sports project have pledged to provide a swimming pool for residents even while work is in progress.

Karsi/ING said the pool could be built on the King Alfred leisure centre site in Hove or anywhere else in the city.

The demountable pool would also be left behind for people to use even after the new leisure centre has been completed.

Damon Lavell of specialist sports architects HOK said new technology enabled this to be achieved easily.

Karis/ING are one of three development teams bidding to become the chosen partner for the city council on the prime seafront site.

To fund the modern sports centre, more than 400 flats will have to be built on the rest of the site.

Karis/ING proposes a sports centre mainly on one floor, with indoor bowls at a lower level.

Its scheme, like all the others, also includes a cafe, space for eight badminton courts, a health and fitness centre and three pools. A large reception area would be the focal point leading to all areas of the centre.

In the leisure pool, there would be child-friendly amusements such as squirting animals and, perhaps, a pirate ship, while older swimmers would be able to enjoy a wave machine.

The main pool would have eight lanes and be suitable for competitions. The training pool would be capable of being lowered so that it can also be used for sub aqua clubs.

HOK have been involved in designing the new Wembley Stadium, Arsenal's new ground in North London, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, improvements for tennis at Wimbledon, the longest building in Britain at Ascot racecourse and a new stand at The Oval cricket ground in London.

A different approach has been taken by Barratt and Brunswick Developments whose sports centre would be a stand-alone five-storey building.

The futuristic design has a ship-like building jutting out over the promenade on the west side of the site.

Specialist sports architect Stephen Limbrick said there would be a central atrium in the scheme from which it would be possible to view the whole complex and views outside.

The spacious scheme separates each of the sports uses, with the main attraction being three swimming pools.

Mr Limbrick said: "We wondered at first whether this concept would work and are now convinced that it can."

Marcus Lee from the Richards Rogers Partnership said the Countryside scheme also made the pools as attractive and flexible as possible.

A feature of this scheme is the light and air design, with flats stepping up in levels from Kingsway to the seafront.

Between the blocks of flats, in a series of courtyards, would be the components of the sports centre.

Mr Lee said there would be an entrance from Kingsway which would give good views over the whole complex.

All three developers emphasise the schemes are not final and that they can be built in phases to ensure minimal disruption to existing activities.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish said the flats were needed to pay for a magnificent sports centre.