THE multi-million pound Bolton Arena officially opened at the weekend amid hopes that it will serve up the country's next Wimbledon champion.

Thousands of people flocked to the £15 million centre at Middlebrook for the official launch on Saturday.

And Wimbledon hero Barry Cowan -- who tested Pete Sampras in a thrilling five-setter at this year's All England tournament -- said the town's newest sporting facility was a world beater.

Barry, aged 26, from Ormskirk, who played an exhibition match in front of the Bolton crowds, said: "It's the best site of its kind in the country, without a shadow of a doubt.

"I have been around the world a lot and this is everything you could wish a sporting facility to be."

But the Lancashire tennis ace -- ranked 232nd in the world -- refused to predict the result of a match against Sampras on one of the centre's eight indoor courts.

He joked: "This is a totally different surface to grass. It would be a very different game."

The tennis star was among a host of sporting dignitaries, council officials and invited guests who marked the opening of the centre, which has already been awarded its first major tournament. As revealed in Saturday's BEN, the Arena will host the National Championships in October.

Since it opened at Easter nearly 60 Bolton primary schools have visited the centre to encourage children to take up tennis.

The Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn, stressed the importance of youngsters getting involved in tennis at an early age.

Praising the development, he said: "The one thing about the Bolton Arena is that it could produce a Wimbledon champion.

"Without the Bolton Arena I don't think we're ever going to produce the type of person such as Tim Henman."

An £11 million grant from Sport England boosted the development, with further funds provided by the British Tennis Foundations and the Lawn Tennis Association.

Former Olympic star and javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson, now vice-chairman of Sport England, also praised the complex.

She said: "I think it's absolutely fantastic and long overdue. It's something that will benefit the whole of Bolton as well as the whole country."

As well as the indoor courts, the venue boasts six outdoor tennis courts, two practice courts, a 400 metre running track, a full size football pitch, a five-a-side pitch and basketball and netball courts.

A gym is also on site and a 250-seat sports theatre offers master classes in sports with video link-ups.

Bolton Council and Bolton Wanderers provided cash for the athletics facilities, which are also used by Academy members of the Superwhites.

Bolton Cllr Frank White, chairman of the trust that will oversee the running of the venue, said the official opening was the "realisation of a dream".

He added: "This will be a sports experience within the reach of every citizen. We will ensure that any children from disadvantaged backgrounds without sufficient finances will not miss out. The pricing structure is designed to make sure they are all included." Comment: Page 10