David Rowe-Beddoe now chairs the project

The assembly administration is now proposing to provide �37m towards the landmark scheme.

The building would provide a permanent home for a range of artistic bodies including Welsh National Opera.

Subject to approval by AMs, construction work will begin in the next few months.

The building could then open its doors before the end of 2004.

The centre was given a cautious go-ahead in April 2001 following months of discussion over spiralling costs.

Arts investment

The appointment of Welsh Development Agency chairman Sir David Rowe-Beddoe to head the project helped quell fears that it was out of control.

But WMC chief executive Kathryn McDowell dealt a blow when she stepped down just weeks after the assembly gave its approval.

Welsh Culture Minister Jenny Randerson opened a debate in the assembly chamber on Tuesday welcoming the imminent signing of the construction contract.

She admitted that despite the expense, the WMC would be "landmark project" which would help to define Wales, nationally and internationally.

The innovative design is still on the drawing board

But the Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent, Peter Law, described the decision to spend �53m of public money on the Wales Millenium Centre was "obscene, to say the least".

Mr Law said the money would be better spent tackling deprivation in communities throughout Wales.

His figure included �10m from the Arts Council of Wales and �6m from the Welsh Development Agency and Wales Tourist Board in addition to the assembly's contribution of �37m.

However, the Conservative AM, Glyn Davies, argued that the case for the WMC was as strong from an economic development perspective as from an arts perspective.

He said it was a well researched and well developed project that would play a major part in completing the Cardiff Bay project.

The Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan tabled an amendment urging the assembly to acknowledge "the importance of also making substantial investment in the arts in other parts of Wales."

It follows claims by some organisations that the centre could threaten the viability of other theatres, venues and activities across the nation.

Landmark project

Architect Jonathan Adams has proposed a vision of slate and steel to provide a landmark building for Wales in materials reflecting the nation's heritage.

The General Director of the Welsh National Opera, Anthony Freud, has said the centre would benefit all of Wales, as well as the WNO itself.

"It will create a focal point for the country, and is crucial to the future of the company," said Mr Freud.

Culture Minister Jenny Randerson wants a landmark building

The Wales Millennium Centre was designed to be an all-embracing venue to replace the doomed opera house project.

That scheme collapsed in 1995 amid accusations of elitism and negative reaction to the design of internationally-acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid.

The Millennium Commission Board refused to fund the opera house project, claiming it was not economically viable.

But construction of its replacement has been dogged by delays.

Matters came to a head in October 2000 when developers Grosvenor Waterside put the 4.7-acre site back on the market.

However Cardiff County Council stepped in to buy the land and keep the project alive.