Three Oxford leisure projects are moving forward at different paces with Sport England holding the key to the long-term success of two.

The dilapidated changing rooms at Donnington Sports Ground in east Oxford -- a facility described as an "embarrassment" by the city council -- is to be given a facelift after the authority approved a renovation project likely to cost around £400,000. As many as 15 construction companies are now expected to bid for the work, with the council agreeing to accept the lowest appropriate bid.

Meanwhile, the authority has announced SDC Construction as the firm to build the new Barton swimming pool at a cost of £2.8m.

The facility is set to open next year, but councillors have been warned of a financial risk should the new building suddenly cease to be used as a recreational complex.

Sport England -- an arm of the National Lottery -- has agreed to plough £1.6m into the scheme.

But a so-called "claw-back" clause stipulates this money would have be refunded should the city council suddenly decide to use the building for another purpose.

City council leader and Barton and Sandhills ward member, Alex Hollingsworth, thinks this is extremely unlikely.

He said: "This is the final piece in the jigsaw. I think this is going to be a fantastic scheme."

But mystery still surrounds whether Sport England funding will be forthcoming for the long-awaited refurbishment of Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre in Pegasus Road.

The city council's aim is to provide residents with the chance to participate in a range of basic health and fitness schemes, including yoga and exercise classes.

The idea is to create a "well-being" hub on the estate with local GPs encouraged to prescribe free exercise classes to those who most need them.

Sport England has earmarked £750,000 towards the scheme, but only on condition it is operational by December this year.

"What happens to the money if it is not remains unclear.

Tony Stephens, leisure and parks manager for Oxford City Council, said: "We are up against a tight deadline to deliver this project within this timeframe -- and we don't know what Sport England's take will be if we don't."