Construction nears finish at £20m Move Altrincham
Work by Kier Construction on the Pozzoni-designed scheme began in January 2023 and has reset the whole 1970s leisure centre, while also adding a studio space and a spa facility.
The centre’s comprehensive £20m revamp has seen more than 42,000 tiles replaced with the internal refurb, part of Trafford Council’s £52.1m plans to upgrade and improve the leisure centres of Altrincham, Sale, and Stretford.
Move Altrincham is located off Oakfield Road in the town centre and hosts swimming facilities offering a 25-metre pool, a 20-metre learning pool, and an accessible pool pod.
A lobby and café area, to be operated seven days a week by MOST Bakery, will look out on the pool.
Beyond the swimming facilities, the centre will provide a wellness assessment room, an expanded fitness suite, two flexible studio spaces, an indoor cycle studio, a four-court sports hall, and a gymnastics area.
Opening within Move is the Cove Spa, which will offer sensory showers, a vitality pool, and an ice fountain, to complement standard saunas and steam rooms.
With the help of Sport England and £2m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund, via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the 50-year-old building will now use solar panels and air source heat pumps.
A phased reopening of the leisure centre will begin at the end of August.
Jo Cherrett, chief executive officer of Trafford Leisure, said: “Move Altrincham will provide our community with a welcoming, safe place where there truly is something for everyone – from babies through to older adults, and everyone in between.
“Our new Cove Spa adds a real treat to the experience.
“The benefits of being active are huge. A healthy lifestyle is the foundation to a happy life, and this redevelopment, along with the expert support of our staff, will inspire and support people to move more every day.”
Cllr Eve Parker, executive member for leisure, arts, culture, and heritage at Trafford Council, said: “We are delighted to present this fantastic facility to the Altrincham community and cannot wait to throw open the doors and welcome everyone in.
“Move Altrincham supports the Council’s priorities to address climate change as well as to facilitate sports for all, and healthy and independent lives.
“We want people of all ages and abilities in our borough to be as fit and active as they possibly can be, and this new centre will help us to get there.”
An opportunity missed
By Tannoy
Why has this refurb been closed for 2 and 3/4 years ?
It should have been demolished and a new one built in its place.
MOVE and Trafford Council are a disgrace.
By Rodders
Ridiculous how long this place has been shut. Nearly 3 years of closure for a refurb of an incredibly ugly building that the town is now stuck with.
It should have been a new build next door on half the footprint. It could have paid for itself and avoided the need for any closure.
By Anonymous
I think this is great news, and so does my wife.
By Gigantic Steve