Plans for multi-million pound leisure centre transformation approved

Exciting multi-million pound plans to completely transform Altrincham Leisure Centre into a fabulous state-of-the-art facility have been approved by councillors.

Trafford Council’s Executive has given the green light to plans for the large scale refurbishment of the popular facility – branded move Altrincham – on Oakfield Road in the town centre.

The centre will now benefit from a 25m swimming pool, a 20m learner pool, a pool pod to improve accessibility, a combined lobby area with pool viewing and café, a wet village change, an inclusive changing places toilet and a health and wellbeing spa facility. There will also be a wellness assessment room, an enlarged fitness suite, fitness changing and dry change areas, two flexible studio spaces, an immersive indoor cycle studio, a four-court sports hall and storage, a gymnastics hub and staff rooms and offices.

The new mix of facilities at Altrincham Leisure Centre has been developed with support from Sport England to deliver long-term sustainable leisure provision that gives the best health and wellbeing outcomes for residents – a long term commitment to the local community from Trafford Council.

The designs also include the replacement of the fossil fuel (gas) heating system with Air Sourced Heat Pumps and Solar Panels, which are significantly more sustainable options than the existing systems, and support Trafford Council’s carbon neutral action plan. A large scale online consultation event was held with residents in January this year – and a total of 576 people responded to the consultation and were largely in favour.

The investment supports the Council’s strategy and commitment to get more people moving more often, helping improve health and wellbeing, and is part of its Physical Activity Strategy, ‘Trafford Moving’. It forms part of a borough-wide long-term strategy to support the health and wellbeing of local residents through access to affordable, sustainable, accessible and exciting, modern leisure facilities. It follows the redevelopment of move Urmston in March 2020, and will see further refurbishments carried out on a phased arrangement, with Altrincham Leisure Centre earmarked as the first to be transformed followed by both Stretford and Sale.

Jo Cherrett is CEO of Trafford Leisure, a community interest company wholly owned by Trafford Council, which manages leisure in Trafford on behalf of Trafford Council, using any profits and assets for community benefit. She says:

“We are ecstatic to finally get the green light from Trafford Council on the full refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure Centre. We know it has been a long time coming, and we can’t wait to breathe life back into the building, future proofing it for future generations. However, we want to reassure customers that during the temporary closure there be access to alternative local options for physical activity and sport, so that clubs, lessons, memberships and activities can continue wherever possible.

This refurbishment isn’t simply a lick of paint, it’s a multi-million-pound investment, bringing modern leisure facilities to the people of Altrincham. The local community in and around Altrincham are passionate about their town and have an overwhelming desire to see their community thrive. When we re-open our doors, the modern, fit-for-purpose leisure venue will be an inspiring space to help local residents with every aspect of their wellbeing. It will become the second site Trafford Leisure will open under the new brand name, move.

move Altrincham, with its new extension, will offer more than 5,500 square metres of sport and leisure activities to help Trafford Leisure achieve its vision of becoming the most active place in England. The refurbishment will include the replacement of the fossil fuel (gas) heating system with Air Sourced Heat Pumps and Solar Panels, which are significantly more sustainable options than the existing systems and support Trafford Council’s action plan to be Carbon Neutral by 2038. When move Altrincham opens, the facilities, services and our team of wellbeing experts can help you move to more every day. Together, let’s get Trafford moving more. move Altrincham will showcase that there really is opportunity for physical activity for everyone.”

Trafford Council Leader, Cllr Andrew Western, said:

“This is fantastic news for the people of Altrincham and the surrounding areas. Health and wellbeing is of major importance to Trafford Council and I am delighted that we will now be able to completely transform Altrincham Leisure Centre into an amazing 21st century facility for everyone to enjoy.

“This centre will be truly inspirational – like our move Urmston site – and I for one can’t wait for the work to be completed. We are investing millions of pounds into this project as we believe that is the right thing to do to ensure residents are given top-class facilities to ensure they can improve their health, fitness and wellbeing. Thank you to the Executive for supporting these truly exciting plans.”

The proposals are subject to further consultation and securing planning permission which is expected to be submitted in Autumn 2022.

The centre will be closed over Christmas 2022 to prepare for the work being carried out in January 2023. The full refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure Centre is estimated to take up to 18 months.