Work is due to start on the exciting, large-scale multi-million-pound refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure Centre, following approval of planning permission for the new design on the 8th December.
Trafford Council’s significant investment into the scheme, will transform the centre on Oakfield Road into a state-of-the-art modern leisure facility for the community to enjoy.
Following the redevelopment of move Urmston in March 2020, the centre – branded move Altrincham, will 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.
To enable the works to be carried out, Altrincham Leisure Centre will be closing on 23 December 2022. The new-look centre is due to open in the summer of 2024. All customers have been informed and, where possible, been given alternative sites for health and fitness activities, including Trafford Leisure’s popular Learn to Swim programme.
The refurbishment will 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 action plan to be Carbon Neutral by 2038.
The investment supports the Council’s strategy and commitment to get more people moving more often. 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 modern leisure facilities and follows the redevelopment of move Urmston in March 2020. It also supports Trafford Council’s corporate priority to reduce health inequalities across the borough.
Cllr Jo Harding, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships, says: “This leisure centre development is absolutely fantastic news for the people of Altrincham and the surrounding areas. The health and wellbeing of residents in our communities is extremely important to us and I am delighted that we are completely transforming Altrincham Leisure Centre into an amazing 21st Century facility for everyone to enjoy.
“This is not just a lick of paint – we will be totally transforming this centre like we did at move Urmston and the results will be just as impressive. 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 help them improve their health, fitness and wellbeing.”
Jo Cherrett is CEO of Trafford Leisure, a community interest company wholly owned by Trafford Council, which manages leisure in Trafford on behalf of the council. She says: “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 Trafford becoming the most active place in England. When move Altrincham opens, the facilities, services and our team of wellbeing experts can help you move more every day. Together, let’s get Trafford moving more. move Altrincham will showcase that there really is opportunity for physical activity for everyone.”
Posted on Friday 23rd December 2022