WIGAN Council has sent off its bid to the Millennium Commission for support for the amazing Xanadu project in Leigh.

The project will be the largest water, snow and ice sports complex in the western hemisphere.

Named after the "stately pleasure dome" of Coleridge's poem Kubla Khan, the centrepiece of the whole enterprise will be the 115 metres high Xanadome.

Underneath this dome will be five ski runs, a ski jump and enough artificial snow to cater for 3,000 people.

The council is seeking £20.6 million towards the £42 million cost of the Xanadome, the Millennium promenade and the Tourist Trail that runs alongside it.

This contribution will go towards the £150 million cost of the project.

Officials expect to know by mid-November that the partners have been invited to proceed to the next stage, which is full submission covering the financial, planning, sustainability and timing aspects of the bid.

Bids are also being submitted to the Sports Lottery fund and up to £75 million is likely to come from the private sector.

Wigan Council's Chief Executive, Stephen Jones said: "This delivery is probably the most important ever to be sent off from the town hall.

"When we get approval, we will be on the way to creating a landmark for the north west.

"More importantly though, we will be creating up to 6,000 jobs for generations to come, a fitting legacy from the Millennium Commission to those residents of the borough who have yet to be born.

"I am pleased to say that since the Xanadu project was announced only two weeks ago, I have been inundated with letters and calls of support and wishes for success.

"We have worked hard to ensure that the bid conveys this enthusiasm and commitment, and we must now wait to see if the Millennium Commission can share our hopes for the year 2000."

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