The new £7m state-of-the-art move Urmston has been formally opened as part of a special celebration event attended by the Mayor, Cllr Laurence Walsh, The Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Andrew Western, Cllr Liz Patel, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, as well other special guests.
The centre first opened in March 2020, and following its lockdown closures, has reopened going from strength to strength. It has recorded an impressive 65% increase in Active Trafford passes in the last six months (compared to the six months prior to the pandemic), with the highest all-time number of fitness membership in Trafford Leisure’s twenty-year history
Jo Cherrett, CEO, Trafford Leisure says:
“This launch day has been a long time in coming, and although the pandemic meant move Urmston didn’t get the start we wanted, we felt it was important to celebrate its success, as it’s already proving to be a popular and valuable asset for the people of Trafford, now and for the future.
Councillor Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council says:
“I was delighted to attend the formal opening and celebration of move Urmston alongside the Mayor, the Executive Member and other dignitaries. The move Urmston centre is a fantastic state-of-the-art development, which will be a huge benefit to generations of families in Trafford”.
move Urmston has amazing fitness and wellbeing experiences, plus fun sports activities, including a large fitness suite with state-of-the art Technogym equipment, a modern wet changing village and new dry changing facilities, a seven-metre high clip and climb wall, two fitness and wellbeing studios , a designated cycling studio, a 25-metre L-shaped swimming pool with moveable floor, a five-court sports hall for badminton, gymnastics, trampolining, football and large group exercise classes, two party rooms, ‘Emma’s Room’, a special sensory room and a Changing Places accessible toilet.
Cllr Western continues:
“Health and wellbeing is a priority for Trafford Council and we are proud of our leisure facilities across the borough. Move Urmston is a fabulous centre, which we hope to use as a blueprint for other centres as we head into the future post Covid.”
The Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Laurence Walsh, cut a ceremonial ribbon and special guests were treated to a celebratory breakfast served by move Urmston’s new café operator, Charley’s, with guests then enjoying a tour of the facilities to see first-hand how local residents together are enjoying moving more.
Cllr Laurence Walsh said:
“It has been wonderful to celebrate the success of move Urmston, it’s a wonderful hub of wellbeing, with facilities and activities for everyone, no matter who you are. I’m thrilled with the investment here and the difference it is already making to our community. So, if you haven’t done already, do come down and try it out.”
Cllr Liz Patel, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture says:
“Trafford Leisure’s move brand will inspire our communities to move a little more each day. move is inclusive and welcoming. I’m proud of the council’s further investment into a Pool Pod which has been installed, providing dignified, independent access to the pool. It is designed for any swimmer that finds using a pool ladder inappropriate and is already revolutionising the swimming experience for wheelchair customers and people with reduced mobility. Leisure and wellbeing is a right, and the council is committed to making it accessible for all in our community.”
Jo Cherrett continues:
“move Urmston provides our community with a welcoming, safe place; a space to be accepted and become the best version of themselves. The last few years have proved how important wellbeing is for our minds and bodies. The benefits of being active are huge, and a key commitment of this Council administration and Trafford Leisure is to improve our community’s wellbeing. A healthy lifestyle is the foundation to a happy life and this redevelopment, along with the expert support of the staff, will encourage our community to move more every day.”
Trafford Council has recently announced massive plans for a multi-million-pound refurbishment of Altrincham, Sale and Stretford Leisure Centres. Its huge investment in the leisure centres supports the Council’s strategy to support the health and wellbeing of residents through access to affordable, sustainable, accessible, exciting, modern leisure facilities. The large-scale refurbishments will be carried out on a phased arrangement, with Altrincham Leisure Centre earmarked as the first to be refurbished, followed by both Stretford and Sale.
Posted on Friday 4th March 2022