Facilities at Stretford and Sale leisure centres are to be reviewed so that forthcoming redevelopment leads to best-possible sports and recreation for local people.
Trafford Council’s Executive Committee noted a Leisure Strategy update and approved the approach to the latest in a string of improvements to sports centres and swimming pools in the borough, which are run by Trafford Leisure.
A leisure consultant and experienced design team will put together new concepts for how Stretford Leisure Centre and Sale Leisure Centre can best meet the needs and aspirations of local people in the future.
Looking at both sites in parallel will mean the Council can take a wider view of provision leading to a balanced and complimentary facility mix, without over-supply of fitness options in one place and gaps at the other.
Proposals, to be firmed up by the end of the year, will tie in with Trafford Moving, the Council’s decade long sports and leisure strategy, and wider Council priorities including healthy and independent lives, the best start for children and young people, high-quality leisure facilities and addressing climate change.
Plans are set to be phased and start with potential link-ups with University Academy 92, indoor cricket and more racquet sports in Stretford.
They will follow the eco-conscious refurbishments of Urmston and Altrincham leisure centres, rebranded as move Urmston and move Altrincham. Both centres have seen transformed facilities and more people using them.
Most recently, Cross Lane Pavilion has been improved with a new BMX pump track and work is under way on a new Partington Sports Village. Investment is imminent at Old Trafford Sports Barn before an asset transfer for the facility to become community run.
Key considerations for Stretford and Sale’s leisure centres are that they will be easily accessible on foot, or by bicycle, and by public transport, and make better use of facilities such as sports pitches that are already there.
An urban cricket offer would provide year-round, weather-resilient training and participation space, reducing pressure on outdoor pitches, improving player development pathways, and helping local clubs, while widening access for schools and community programmes.
Similarly, new racket sport provision would lead to increased participation, better quality of play, and reduce reliance on existing padel and outdoor courts.
Cllr Eve Parker, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said:
“The redevelopment of Stretford and Sale’s leisure centres are the next steps in an exciting programme of renewal and opportunity, supported by grant funding and investment from our partners.
“I’m delighted that our plans are taking shape and that the ways forward for these two much-loved leisure centres will be joined up, to make sure that Trafford people will receive the best possible range of sports and leisure facilities that we can offer.”