Multi Million Pound Sports Centre Opens for Action

One of the largest sports facilities of its type in the North West opened its doors this week. Leigh Indoor Sports Centre beckoned in a new era for sport and physical activity in Leigh with its public opening on Wednesday 2nd January.

The sports centre is a major element of the £83m Leigh Sports Village. The £6.4m facility, funded by Greenbank Partnerships, Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, will be used by sports clubs and individuals for a range of activities including aerobics, basketball, dance, swimming, karate, badminton and gymnastics.

Leigh Indoor Sports Centre’s facilities include:

• Swimming pool – a 25m, six-lane pool suitable for regional galas with spectator seating.

• Sports hall – consisting of eight courts, can be used for badminton, basketball, netball and volleyball with seating for up to 280 people;

• Profiles Health and Fitness Suite – a 65 work station gym with weight resistance and cardiovascular equipment;

• Multi-purpose room – will provide a range of aerobic sessions and martial arts activities for up to 40 people;

• Aerobics suite – ideal for aerobic work-outs and suitable for all ages and abilities;

• Changing room village – a series of individual changing areas complemented by six additional changing rooms.

The opening day was busy with new members trying out the new state of the art equipment and enjoying tours of the facilities for the first time.

Stephen Platt, aged 16 from Leigh, joined friends to be the first to dip his toes into the new pool. Stephen said: “I like the location – it’s ideal because it’s just up the road from me and it’s something we’ve never had in Leigh before. I’ll probably come everyday – it’s great to be able to swim and work out all under one roof. It’s more fun coming with our friends – it makes keeping fit even easier and it’s a good way of socialising.”

Another enthusiast grabbing an early work-out was Christine Marshall-Smart from Hindley. She said: “I’m really impressed. This is a great facility for everyone living nearby and the staff are great – really friendly and welcoming. I like the fact that I don’t have to pay an annual fee so I can fit my time in the gym around work and holidays – you can even come and use the fitness suite for single one off visits.”

One of the site’s first new members was Stephen Lowe from Hindley. Stephen said: “I first heard about the site through the college and I was really keen to get down here to sign up today. The facilities are superb - It’s great to see a public facility that is just as good, if not better, than the big name gyms. The opening times are great for work and I’ll be able to bring along the family along to use the pool.”

Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Rodney Hill said: “We are delighted that the site is now up and running. We hope local people will come along and see for themselves the opportunities there are to keep fit, be healthy and enjoy sporting activities – this facility is for them. We believe this sports centre is one of the finest in the region and we will be working hard to ensure that we work closely with the rest of the partners at Leigh Sports Village to make this one of the most vibrant sporting areas in the North West.”

For more information about Leigh Indoor Sports Centre call in at Leigh Sport Village (off Atherleigh Way, Leigh), phone 01942 404857, or visit www.wlct.org/leighsportscentre

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