Sport and recreation centre opens

The £6.4m sports centre will form part of Leigh Sports Village

A multi-million pound recreation centre has opened in Greater Manchester.

The building, which cost £6.4m, forms part of the £83m Leigh Sports Village. It boasts a pool, sports hall, health and fitness and aerobics suites.

It will be used by local sports clubs as well as individuals for a range of activities including badminton, dance, basketball, karate and gymnastics.

The centre was funded by Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and The Greenbank Partnership.

'Immensely proud'

Andy Burnham MP said: "We now have a sports centre and pool that can attract regionally important sports events and galas.

"All the people of Leigh should be immensely proud of what has been achieved here; and it's all for them."

When it is completed, the sports village will also include a 10,000 seat stadium and a 400m running track.

There are also plans for floodlit grass and artificial pitches, a 150-bedroom four-star hotel and offices as well as a leisure and specialist retail facilities including a cinema, restaurants, bars and a ten-pin bowling alley.