Wigan is to get a new ‘heart’ after plans for a multi-million pound new leisure and public services complex finally got the go ahead.
The new Wigan Life Centre was delayed by the slowdown in bank lending, but now work has finally started – and it’s already bringing cash and much-needed jobs into town.
One of the most ambitious council projects ever undertaken in the country, the Wigan Life Centre will, by the end of 2011, see a new civic heart for the town.
People will be able to access council, health, leisure and housing services, use a state of the art new swimming pool or visit a new central library designed by the team behind the multi award-winning Brighton Library.
Written into the contract with leading construction firm Morgan Ashurst is a commitment that local people will be employed whenever possible. Cllr David Molyneux, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It’s only three months into the project, and already many of those on site are from the Wigan area. And every single person there is contributing to the local economy.”
Fantastic Project
As construction progresses Morgan Ashurst plan to recruit local labour to include apprentices, security officers with knowledge of the area and secretarial and support staff.
Brian Barritt, senior contract manager, said: “We are extremely proud to be a part of this fantastic project which is shaping the town’s future. We’re really looking forward to building great relationships with local suppliers, who we hope to be using for everything from simple things like sandwiches to major components.”
Cllr Molyneux added: “The new centre, and similar contact points throughout the borough, will put resident and tenants in easy reach of the services they need.”
The Wigan Life Centre is being paid for using £77m of Private Finance Initiative credits, for which Wigan had to compete against more than 100 other councils. This means that the private sector bears the initial building and running costs, which are paid back over 25 years using the government credit. Then the building belongs to the council.
Countdown to 2011
The Pool
Wigan’s new baths will include a 25m x 21m pool and state of the art health and fitness suite. They are being built on the site of the old pool.
November 2009: Work to remove asbestos from the old baths and demolish the building completed.
December to March: The massive former pool area gets filled in.
March 2010: New steel framework goes up and building work starts.
August 2011: Pool planned to open to the public.
The Library
The new library will be built behind the red terracotta façade of Municipal Buildings and will include separate children’s and teenage libraries. A new open square or piazza, pictured above, will be created on the Wiend.
April 2010: Demolition of the old municipal buildings and propping up the terracotta façade complete.
July 2010: Steel framework erected and construction starts.
November 2010: External building work complete and support structure removed.
December 2010: Internal work starts.
December 2011: New library and piazza set to open.
For more details log onto Wigan Life (external link) or visit the information zone at Wigan library.
