Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) has appointed a manager for the new £6.4m indoor sports centre at the £83m Leigh Sports Village.

Mike Woodruff previously managed WLCT’s Robin Park Sports Centre and Arena.

Leigh Indoor Sports Centre, which is being funded by WLCT, Greenbank Partnership and Wigan Council, is scheduled to open next summer. It will consist of a 25m swimming pool with seating for 180 spectators, an eight-court sports hall, a gym, studio, aerobics suite and changing village.

The Leigh Sports Village will provide further facilities for rugby, football and athletics with a 10,000-seat stadium, 400m running track with covered sprinting facility, a clubhouse and sports pitches, plus a cinema, ten-pin bowling alley, restaurants, bars and a hotel.

Speaking about his appointment, Woodruff said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to take charge of what will be a brilliant new sports facility.

“Although the centre will only open next summer, the hard work starts now. We will be working to get all of the correct equipment in place and make sure the finishes to the sports centre will give the people of Leigh something to be proud of.

"I will soon begin building a programme of activities to suit local sports clubs and the community as a whole. From the new year onwards we will then look to put in place our staffing structure." Details: www.wlct.org

Photograph: WLCT’s chief executive, Rodney Hill with sports centre manager Mike Woodruff