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Museum unveils £54 million redevelopment plan, Manchester ski centre opens its doors to the publc and giant santa does his bit for the environment. Plus, much more.
Museum unveils £54 million makeover
It is already a hugely popular cultural attraction, expected to draw more than half a million visitors this year, but the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is on a quest for international kudos with a £54 million redevelopment plan.
A striking, eco-friendly building inspired by Manchester's historic links with the cotton industry is at the heart of the visionary project - called Revolution MOSI - that aims to create a world-class museum quarter stretching nearly a kilometre from the River Irwell to the Hilton tower.
Constructed with the same material used in the domes of the Eden Project, the new building will act as an orientation area for the museum, which is spread over 2.5 hectares in the warehouses and associated buildings of the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station. It will house four new galleries, including a central space called Revolution Manchester that will showcase the region's most ground-breaking inventions - from the first computer to the test tube in which Louise Brown, the first IVF baby, was conceived.
The redevelopment plan also includes the refurbishment of existing galleries and work to enhance the museum's integration into the city.
MOSI director Ian Griffin said: "The newly-redeveloped MOSI will create a modern, environmentally-sustainable museum, which will showcase the world-first innovations and achievements of the North West, while transforming an under-appreciated area of the city into a vibrant new quarter with its own distinct character."
MOSI projects that the ambitious, multi-phase redevelopment plan would double its annual visitor number to one million. If the museum's funding applications are successful, phase one will begin in 2009.
A time to chill
Britain's largest indoor ski centre has just opened its snow covered Mancunian slopes to the public.
Located next door to the Trafford Centre, less than four miles from Manchester city centre, the 250,000 sq ft Chill Factore comprises the longest and widest real snow ski slope in the UK, complete with a button lift, sub-zero temperatures and mountain vistas (albeit painted on a wall).
Skiers and snowboarders will now be able to enjoy the fun of the piste all year round on a gentle nursery slope or the 180-metre-long main slope, without having to board a plane. But although not as expensive as the French Alps, Chill Factore will set you back up to £62 for a 90-minute family lift pass.
The £31 million development also houses an 'alpine village', featuring shops, bars and restaurants with balconies overlooking the slopes, offering a complete leisure experience that aims to appeal to people of all ages.
Santa's cause
He is big, he is green and he wants you to be good this Christmas.
Standing ten metres tall and eight metres high on a huge, glittering platform in front of the town hall in Albert Square, Santa's sparkling figure has been made especially for Manchester. Covered in 100,000 lights, it is the biggest in England. But although he is of giant proportions, he is keeping his carbon footprint small and doing his bit for the environment - his decorative lights are all low energy.
The environment is not the only thing Santa is championing this Christmas. He has also thrown his weight behind the Star for a Star campaign in support of the New Children's Hospital Appeal.
For a suggested donation of just £5 you can have your personal hero recognised with a virtual star on the appeal's website during December. You will also receive a limited edition, Christmas-themed certificate confirming your sponsorship of a star.
The New Children's Hospital Appeal aims to raise £20 million to help fund projects within the new hospital, which is currently being built in central Manchester. The appeal will focus on ensuring that the new state-of-the-art buildings have the very best equipment available for diagnosis and treatment, and on providing accommodation so that the parents can stay close to their child during treatment.
By the time the new children's hospital opens in 2009 it will be the largest in the UK. With your help it can also be the best.
For more information visit www.newchildrenshospitalappeal.org.uk
Destination Manchester
Greater Manchester's tourism industry has grown to a £4.2 billion asset, according to the latest research.
Commissioned by Marketing Manchester, the study shows that the city-region attracted nearly 99 million visitors in 2006, a rise of 25 per cent since 2000. Greater Manchester's fast growing tourism industry now supports 61,000 jobs.
The top ten visitor attractions in Greater Manchester for 2006, in descending order of visitor numbers, were: The Lowry, The Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester City Art Gallery, Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium, Urbis, Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park, Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Museum, Manchester United FC Museum and Manchester Cathedral.
Droylsden Marina takes shape
A major milestone in the £100 million regeneration of Droylsden in Tameside was reached last month, as work began on constructing the marina basin and canal arm.
This work will play a fundamental part in the development of the ambitious canalside marina scheme, which comprises a mix of new homes, offices and shops, as well as restaurants, a hotel, a children's nursery and a fitness club.
When the full development is completed, in 2012, it should prove a popular leisure destination in Greater Manchester - a vibrant place with continental flair, where boats will be able to moor in the heart of the town centre.
