XANADU and 21st century sports centre Leigh is an exciting step nearer reality.

The English Sports Council is backing a lottery bid for the Pennington Aquatics Centre and Junior Sports' Academy which could cost as much as £33m.

The bid has received approval in principle from the Sports Lottery Evaluation Panel - and its odds-on the scheme will go ahead.

And that is a major boost for the linked giant Xanadu snow dome scheme which would give the area a sky-high profile and boost the chances of a regional rowing centre at nearby Pennington Flash.

Wigan Council Leader Cllr Peter Smith welcomed the news:"This is wonderful and fully justifies the sustained efforts we have made.

"It not only secures a major aquatics centre for the borough and people of Leigh, but is an important component in our linked Xanadu project and will enable us to take it forward even more quickly.

"Though we are very disappointed not to get the Commonwealth Games we have never stopped talking about the potential and we are grateful to the Sports Council for listening.

"There are no major changes from the Games' bid plans other than spectator facilities."

The planned swimming complex will include a 50 metre competition pool, a large leisure pool and separate diving pool plus eight court sports hall, health and fitness suites and squash courts.

A deciding factor in swaying Sports Council backers is the junior sports academy concept with sports development programmes and coaching opportunities for a variety of sports encouraging young people to fulfil potential.

Xanadu project develop Chris Baybutt, of Greenbank Partnerships, said:"This is a big boost for the total Xanadu project.

"We can now proceed with complete confidence with our unique inter-linking of major snow, aquatics and other leisure facilities.

"The wonderful setting and location, which is accessible to 20 million people within two hours travel time, is proving very attractive to our partners and the market.

"Now the ESC have supported the aquatics, the planning application for Xanadu will be lodged within the next two months."

This autumn a detailed application will be made to the Lottery Sports Fund and Xanadu project developers Greenbank Partnerships and Acer Snowmec will also commence detailed design and marketing.

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