Swindon wants to compete with Britain's top sports towns.
But to push forward that vision it wants to form a Sports Council an organisation that will work with local, regional and national sports organisations to establish Swindon as a centre of sporting excellence.
Councillors hope that this new organisation will be formed this year as part of Pledge 21 of the council's 50 Pledges to the people of Swindon, made last year, Once set up, it would discuss leisure issues such as The Corporate Games, being held in Swindon in early June, the 2012 London Olympics and promises to rebuild The Oasis and The Link.
Coun Justin Tomlinson, (Con Abbey Meads) is one of the leading lights behind the scheme.
He said: "There are two major potential benefits from setting up a Swindon Sports Council.
"Firstly, where we have a major local leisure issue, such as redeveloping The Oasis and The Link, it is vital we consult with the local users to help shape the future provision.
"We value our users' expertise and advice, and it is crucial this is constructively applied.
"We need to provide facilities that people really want, and that will be used by people in Swindon, and throughout the South West.
"Secondly, by bringing the local organisations and users together we can share best practice, whether this is with help in applying for funding from regional or national sports organisations, or by simply bringing different groups together to share facilities and coaching,"
Once formed, it will initially meet twice a year with the evening split into three 30-minute sections.
Within each section a topic will be presented and discussed.
Groups may wish to attend for the whole evening, or perhaps just for the sections of interest to their sports organisation.
Coun Tomlinson added: "We will be regularly communicating progress on the Sports Council with sports organisations, and I am hoping that groups will get involved in detailed work on specific issues.
"Only by forging really close links with sports representatives in Swindon, and regionally and nationally, can we have the excellent sports provision that Swindon really needs."
Formal invitations will soon be sent out to representatives in local sports clubs. The first meeting of the Sports Council will be at the Haydon Centre on Thursday, March 23.
The meeting will start at 8.15pm and will finish at 9.45pm.
Swindon Advertiser 07/02/06