Wythenshawe Forum Trust has appointed David Scott as its chief executive to oversee operations at the £20m, new look Forum.

Mr Scott was, until recently, the business and commercial development manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

He said: “It is exciting to be joining the Trust as it prepares to open this centre, which will bring together a broad range of community services and facilities.”

The Forum, near Manchester, is due to open to public during April this year.

It will incorporate four district areas dedicated to leisure, health, learning and childcare. The Wythenshawe library will also relocate to the Forum from its temporary home at former Barclay’s Bank Computer Centre on Rowlandsway.

The first phase, the Forum’s leisure complex, opened last October and facilities include two swimming pools and a sports hall with five-a-side football, badminton and aerobics courts.

The health club amenities include six cv stations and a number of aerobic and anaerobic stations.

When fully completed, the Forum will benefit from easier access to the site. Enhanced car parking, a new bus stop and improved facilities for cyclists are planned.

Furthermore, the expansion of the Metrolink system could see trams stopping outside the Forum's main entrance from 2005/06.

The development has been funded entirely by public money, and operations will be managed by the not-for-profit trust. Details: www.manchester.gov.uk