WHAT would you get if you combined Rossendale Ski Slope, Leisure Park 61 and the Mill Gate centre?

The answer would be something like Xscape, a new retail and leisure complex in Milton Keynes for which Bury company Senior Hargreaves has provided heating, ventilation and fire engineering ductwork.

The centre is designed to offer a variety of experiences to challenge and appeal to the whole family.

Visitors can ski and snow board on the real-snow slopes, visit clubs and a fitness centre while for others, the 100,000 sq ft leisure and lifestyle shopping mall offers a shop-until-you-drop day out.

For leisurely relaxation, there are bars, restaurants and even a 16- screen cinema. Concessions have been taken by many leading retailers. High occupancy will place large and variable loads on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The variety of environments was a key challenge for Lord Street-based Senior Hargreaves while the shape of the building also presented further trials.

Each activity has fresh and exhaust air ducted via large diameter ductwork. This measures up to 3.5 metres in plant rooms.

Much of the extract system uses the Bury company's revolutionary HFD fire resistant ductwork to port products of combustion safely away in an emergency.

Senior Hargreaves have installed the entire air intake and exhaust systems for the ski slope and main leisure areas.

Abseiling techniques were employed in some areas, thus avoiding disrupting other trades by scaffolding open spaces.

The large scale use of this technique was pioneered by Senior Hargreaves on the 19,000-seat MEN Arena.

The catchment area for the new Xscape complex comprises 1.6 million people within 40 minutes travel time and a potential 22 million customers within two hours.

Owner operator, Capital and Regional Properties, is confident the centre will attract substantial attention when it opens in May.

Nevertheless, they have plans for similar developments around the UK, including one in Salford.