The distinctive beams will be the dominant feature of the project and onlookers are expected to flock to the site to see them being fixed into place.

Celebrations will take place at a ceremony, when representatives of Corby Council, North Northants Development Company as well as constructors, architects and engineers will gather to watch placement of the timber frame.

The beams have been constructed using 'glulam' (glued laminated timber), which is recognised as a renewable, environmentally-friendly and engineered material of the future.

Leader of Corby Council Pat Fawcett said: "The new pool building is really taking shape and the erection of the beams is an exciting milestone to the whole process.

"Our intention is to provide the best facilities possible to meet the needs of the residents of Corby and develop facilities to regional standard.

The 50m Corby East Midlands International Pool is included in both the London 2012's Olympic and Paralympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guides and will be a regional competition facility.

It will be equipped with modern moveable floors and booms to provide a flexible space capable of holding international junior diving events and short and long-course races. It also includes a 20m training pool, fun pool with flume, a 70 station modern gym, dance facilities, a health suite and café.

Oakley Vale resident Paul Balmer, 57, said: "I a keen swimming so I'm looking forward to it.

"I'm teaching my little boy to swim so I imagine he will be one of the first to use it when it opens."

Mr Balmer runs the Oakley Rangers youth club and hopes the group can utilise the facility. "Hopefully we can do organised trips," he said.
The pool will be one of the safest in the country with the addition of a state of the art drowning detection system which will sound an alarm if a swimmer is below the surface of the water too long.

Building work is on schedule and due to open next summer. The facility is already the subject of interest from the Amateur Swimming Association and is likely to become a regional centre of excellence.

The £20m pool is funded by Corby Council and located on Parkland Gateway, which is being developed with the assistance of funding from English Partnership, East Midlands Development Agency, The Department of Local Government and North Northants Development Company.