The demolition of the charred remains of Port Talbot's Afan Lido will start this September.
It will be another year before work starts on its £13 million replacement — which will not be ready until late 2013.
Neath Port Talbot Council will finalise its proposals at a meeting later this week.
It has now ruled out rebuilding the complex, which included the Aquadome theme pool, exactly as it was.
Instead its plans include a six-lane swimming pool and a four-court sports hall, fitness suite and dance studio, along with a cafe.
The Afan Lido has been closed since fire broke out there in December, 2009.
Neath Port Talbot says the leisure part of the new facility will be run in partnership with Celtic Community Leisure.
There will also be a community hub, separated by a glass walkway atrium, which will be created in partnership with New Sandfields Aberavon.
It will feature a library, ICT training room, learning resource centre, a youth facility, creche and conference and community rooms. Also proposed is accommodation for 20 enterprise units for new small businesses.
It will mean Sandfields Library, Seaway Parade Education Centre and Dalton Road Community Centre closing and being incorporated into the hub.
But the council will pilot a scheme to transfer the running of the Dalton Road centre to New Sandfields Aberavon.
Meanwhile, controversial plans to also close and incorporate Aberavon Community Centre will be put on hold.
The possibility of handing it over to residents for them to run will now be considered.
Head of property and regeneration Gareth Nutt said: "The removal of the contamination from the pool hall now leaves open the opportunity to demolish the pool hall and associated buildings.
"Prices are now being sought for the demolition costs of the building.
"Subject to undertaking the necessary work in relation to utility supplies, it could be programmed for September this year.
"It may be possible to bring this forward if technical issues can be resolved earlier."
A detailed report on the rebuilding will be considered by the economic and community regeneration cabinet board on Thursday.
Councillors will be asked to agree to take on consultants to deal with the design and prepare a more detailed cost estimates.
Mr Nutt said: "Should designs progress as suggested, it is anticipated that new build work could start in spring or early summer 2012, with completion anticipated for the end of 2013,"
However, he said, this related to the leisure elements of the new complex, as the council had to identify funding for the community elements.
South Wales Evening Post - Monday, 18 July 2011.
