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 centre will feature two iconic 'landmark' buildings.

The new 25m swimming pool and central library - including separate children's and teenage libraries - have been designed by the same team responsible for Brighton Library, which has already won 17 design awards.

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.

Services provided by the council and its housing and leisure partners, the police, the NHS, the fire service and community and voluntary groups will all be accessible under one roof.

The scheme will be located on the site of the Municipal Buildings (preserving the distinctive terracotta façade), the Wiend children's library and International Pool.

It is being paid for using £67m of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits for which Wigan had to compete against more than 100 other councils.

This means the private sector bears the initial building and running costs, which are paid back over 25 years using the government credits. The building then belongs to the council.

Wigan Council leader Peter Smith said:

"This is one of the most ambitious council schemes being undertaken in the UK and we have been able to prove beyond doubt that we are capable of delivering it successfully."

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