A sports hall with spectators' gallery, moveable theatre and medical suite could all come to Cowling in the shape of a state-of-the-art community centre.

The Royds Mill building, off Keighley Road, will be demolished and replaced by a two-storey building accessible at both levels, it is proposed.

The upper ground floor, level with the pavement, includes a computer suite with Internet facilities, caf and a library twice the size of Cowling's existing one.

A medical suite with consulting room and waiting area is also earmarked for this floor.

The project steering group, chaired by North Yorkshire councillor Irene Greaves, is in negotiation with the local primary care group over health professionals providing a part-time service.

The building's car park is level with the lower ground floor, and will be home to the sports hall, moveable theatre, meeting rooms, kitchen and a bar.

Five-a-side football, badminton, table tennis and netball are a few of the activities proposed for the sports hall, visible from a viewing gallery on the floor above.

The theatre area's moveable seats and stage mean extra space for sports like badminton if the sports hall is full.

But the main uses of the theatre will be local amateur dramatics productions, awards ceremonies, meetings and events like Women's Institute fashion shows.

There is disabled access throughout the building. Changing rooms for the sports hall will also be available to theatre performers.

Opening on to the recreation ground at the building's rear means it may be possible for outdoor sports players to also use these facilities.

Flexibility of the building's space is aided with abundant storage space for furniture and equipment.

Cowling-based architect Paul Foxley, and Richard Pearson, of James Hartley and Son, in Skipton, drew up the plans in less than four weeks.

They were given the tight deadline when the project group appointed them last month.

Mr Foxley explains: "There was a fairly urgent timescale as they were concerned about the building going on the market."

But they succeeded and are also jointly working on a feasibility study for a village hall in Carleton.

The Cowling plans were displayed two weeks ago at the gala, and can also be seen at a public meeting on Monday, August 21.

Mr Foxley says: "We've a way to go yet but it's not going to be long. We intend to work with equal speed but not haste."

The project group has made several funding applications for the centre, thought to cost at least £500,000. A lottery funding bid will be submitted when an application for planning permission has been made. The August 21 meeting is at 7.30pm in St Andrew's Church hall.