Sports Centre Dream Takes Huge Leap Forward at Leigh Sports Village
 

The dream of having a new state-of-the-art sports centre and swimming pool in Leigh, as part of the £83m Leigh Sports Village development, has taken another step towards becoming reality with the appointment of a manager for the soon-to-be-completed Indoor Sports Centre.

Mike Woodruff, formerly centre manager at the award-winning Robin Park Sports Centre and Arena, has taken on the mantle of managing one of the most exciting facilities to be built in the borough for decades. The £6.4m Indoor Sports Centre is being funded by Greenbank Partnership, Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

Mike, who managed Robin Park for seven years and has worked for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust for 20 years, will have responsibility to manage a sports centre with some of the best sports facilities in the North West:
 

• Swimming pool – a 25m, six-lane pool designed to host competitive swimming galas with spectator seating for 180 people and room for 150 competitors
• Sports hall – consisting of eight courts, can be used for badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball and football with seating for up to 250 people
• Fitness gym – the fitness suite will have 65 work stations consisting of weight resistance and cardiovascular equipment
• Multi-Purpose room – will provide a range of aerobic sessions and martial arts activities for up to 50 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.

Mike says, “I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity to take charge of what will be a brilliant new sports facility. Although the centre will only open next summer, the hard work starts now. We will be working to get all of the correct equipment in place and make sure the finishes to the sports centre will give the people of Leigh something to be proud of.”

Mike continues, “I will soon begin building a programme of activities to suit local sports clubs and the community as a whole. From the new year onwards we will then look to put in place our staffing structure. These are very exciting times for everyone involved in the project.”
Leigh Indoor Sports Centre, a crucial element of the Leigh Sports Village project, is due for completion in summer 2007. Leigh Sports Village will be the focal point for all leisure activities in Leigh, providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy a wide range of activities - including swimming, athletics, football and rugby - within a green and accessible environment.

Rodney Hill, Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, says, “Mike has a proven track record of delivering excellence and he also has experience of working in the east of the borough, having been a Duty Manager at Howe Bridge Sports Centre. We are looking forward to working with all of the partners involved in the Leigh Sports Village project to deliver an area of regional importance that will be rich in recreational and social vitality.”

For further information on Leigh Indoor Sports Centre please contact Mike Woodruff on 01942 893697.
 

Back to Project News...