The Leigh Indoor Sports Centre will open to the public on 2 January 2008. The £6.4m centre, which will form part of the £83m Leigh Sports Village, has been funded by the Greenbank Partnership, Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

The facility will be the home to a number of local clubs in a range of sports, including aerobics, basketball, dance, swimming, karate, badminton and gymnastics.

Andy Burnham, member of parliament for Leigh, said: “We will 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.” The facility comprises a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, an eight-court sports hall with seating for up to 280 people, a 65-station health and fitness club, a multi-purpose room capable of hosting classes for 40 people and a separate aerobics suite.

Centre manager Mike Woodruff said: “It’s thrilling to see all of our hard work coming to fruition.

“This really is a centre for the people and I urge local residents to come and have a look around to see what’s on offer.”