Wigan Council has announced plans to create a unique public service 'hub' that aims to revitalise the town’s civic heart.

The multi-million pound project – called the Joint Service Centre (JSC) – will create a state of the art leisure, health and information complex including a new one stop shop for all public services.

The council has appointed Access consortium to design and build the centre, which will feature two iconic ‘landmark’ buildings – a new 25m swimming pool and central library, including separate children’s and teenage libraries.

The swimming pool, fitness centre and health and social care services will form a Healthy Living Zone, while the new central library on the site of the Municipal Buildings will lie at the heart of an Information and Learning Zone.


The scheme will take more than two years to build and will be located on the site of the Municipal Buildings, the Wiend children’s library and International Pool.

The project will be funded by a of private finance initiative (PFI) with private monies bearing the building and running costs, to be paid back over a 25-year period.

Peter Smith, leader of Wigan Council, said: “This is one of the most ambitious council schemes being undertaken in the UK and we been able to prove beyond doubt that we are capable of delivering it successfully.”

Work is likely to start in September this year and the whole complex will open for business in January 2011.