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WIGAN BOROUGH TO RECEIVE £6.8 MILLION
BOOST FOR LIBRARY AND SPORTS PROJECT
Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council is one of six local authority projects
that have been chosen to go forward for a share of £130 million public
funding towards the cost of a library or sport project under the Private
Finance Initiative (PFI).
Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council will receive £6.8 million of DCMS
credits within a package of £64.6 million for a multi-service centre
providing a range of services including sport and library provision. The
centre will create a new civic heart for Wigan based on the Town Hall and
adjacent sites. The 25m x 21m pool is a replacement for the existing Wigan
International Pool. There will also be a smaller pool, kept at higher
temperatures, for work with children and people with disabilities and a
health and fitness suite.
Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, said: “Our aim this year is to support
the modernisation of public library services and the creation of
multi-sport facilities. I am particularly impressed by the vision of the
Wigan project, which addresses both of these aims.
“Public-Private Partnerships are a good way of getting high quality
projects off the ground in a cost-effective way. I am sure that the six
new projects will go forward and deliver results and will become an
essential part of the communities they serve.”
Bristol, Worcestershire, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and Wigan Councils
now have to make an outline business case to qualify for their allocated
share of the money. The scheme in Wigan will be jointly funded with the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Wigan Council Leader, Lord Smith, said: " We have recognised for some time
that both the existing town centre swimming pool and central library do
not offer the quality of facilities that the public of Wigan expect and
deserve.
"This ambitious project will create a first class library and modern pool
fit for the 21st century, along with improved customer access to a range
of public services. This news marks the first stage in being able to
realise our vision.
"The council has an excellent track record of effective partnership
working, and I am confident we will now be able to deliver the business
case that will bring this funding to Wigan."
Projects from 32 local authorities in England were assessed by experts
from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), Sport England and
the 4Ps (Public, Private Partnerships Programme) to establish their value
and sustainability.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on how this News Release will
effect Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust please contact Chris Dunbar, Public
Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
General Press Enquiries: 020 7211 6272
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6200
Internet: http://www.culture.gov.uk
Wigan Council: David Mather, 01942 827164
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