Plans for a multi-million pound revamp of Altrincham Leisure Centre have moved a step closure following the submission of a planning application. The scheme branded 'move Altrincham' is for the facility on Oakfield Road in the town centre and includes a 25-metre swimming pool and a pool pod to improve accessibility.
There will also be 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. 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 are all part of the plan
The new mix of facilities 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'. Trafford council bosses say the investment supports the authority's strategy and commitment to get more people moving more often, helping improve health and wellbeing, and is part of its sport and physical activity strategy, ‘Trafford Moving’.
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It forms part of a borough-wide long-term objective 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. A large-scale online consultation event was held with residents in January this year and a total of 576 people responded, who were largely in favour.
The council will close Altrincham Leisure Centre on Tuesday October 4 for a short time to carry out essential maintenance and assessment in readiness for the appointed contractor to be able to start on site. Trafford Leisure says it will keep staff and customers of Altrincham Leisure Centre fully informed, and plan to re-open the centre two weeks after its temporary closure.
If the investment plans go ahead, the centre will be closed over Christmas 2022 to prepare for the work being carried out in the new year. The full refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure Centre would take up to 18 months.
Jo Cherrett is chief executive 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 said: “The application for planning permission marks another step forward in bringing modern and sustainable leisure facilities to the people of Trafford.”
Trafford council leader, Cllr Andrew Western said: “This development if approved, is fantastic news for the people of Altrincham and the surrounding areas. Health and wellbeing are of major importance to Trafford council and I am delighted that we are a step closer to being able to completely transform Altrincham Leisure Centre into an amazing 21st-century facility for everyone to enjoy. It also supports the Council and Executive’s priority to reduce health inequalities across the borough.
“This centre would be truly inspirational – like our move Urmston site. 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. "
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