EventCity relocation plans move forward

Peel L&P has advanced plans to relocate EventCity to the Soccerdome next to the Trafford Centre, a move which will also see the event space’s current home redeveloped into a 28-acre wellbeing resort.

Under the plans, now submitted to Trafford Council, EventCity will close in July in 2020 and relocate to a redeveloped Soccerdome in September 2020, which include a central foyer, reconfigured entrance hall, and events space with divides of up to 11,000 sq ft. Bate & Taylor is the architect.

The move will free up EventCity’s current site on Barton Dock Road for the proposed 28-acre Therme Resort, set to include a 700,000 sq ft resort building, a 43,000 sq ft public square, a 38,000 sq ft lake and up to 1,500 car parking spaces.

This is earmarked for a 2022 opening; a separate planning application is yet to be submitted but is expected by the end of the year.

Plans were previously put forward by developer Urban Legacies to extend and convert the Soccerdome site into an indoor adventure centre, but these were never progressed.

Submitted in March 2018, these proposals would have seen an additional 124,000 sq ft added to the 195,000 sq ft DW Sports & Fitness Centre building.

Neil Lees, acting chief executive at EventCity and deputy chairman of the Peel Group said: “It has long been an ambition for the business to redesign the setting into a more dedicated space. We’re committed to offering our clients and visitors the very best experience, and we’re confident that our plans for the new venue will do just that, whilst still providing the second largest conference and events space outside of London.”

New football pitches are also set to be built as part of EventCity’s relocation to replace the existing facilities at the Soccerdome. This proposal is pictured above.

This will include eight all-weather pitches to be built on a plot next to the I-Fly indoor skydiving centre, currently an area of scrub land.

Scott Penman, owner of Fives Soccer Centre said: “We’re committed to doing all we can to provide a grass roots football facility in TraffordCity for the long-term.

“The new centre will reflect Fives Soccer Centre’s vision for the future of five-a-side football, which will not only be Manchester’s first soccer centre to meet the FA guidelines for small-sided pitch construction but will also offer an industry unique digital experience, two key elements in ensuring a sustainable operating model that cement its place at the centre of football in Manchester for the next 25 years and beyond.

“I have personally been involved with the Soccerdome for the last 12 years and recognise its significant contribution to the grass roots game, however, we have also faced the commercial viability challenge a large indoor proposition presents. To this end, I’m proud to be involved in a scheme that achieves the ultimate goal of protecting the football for the future.

“We’re working with Peel L&P to ensure we can keep operating until planning has been secured for the new football centre and until its completion.”

WSP | Indigo acted as planning consultant for both applications.

EventCity September 2019

Your Comments

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Gosh, they still insist on that horrid purple or whatever shade of hell it is. There should be laws against purple in architecture.

By EOD

A good location for an events space

By Thomas J

The M60 is a state

By Badger

No mention of the forced closure of DW Sports & Leisure against the wishes of all the members and staff. Decimating our keep fit community..

By Steve Chadwick

A sad day for football.

By NT

What will the previously named “EventCity” stop on the new Metrolink line now be called? Barton Square?

By Disgruntled Goat

The football is to be adjacent

By Thomas J

There is a gym at the stadium

By Thomas J

It literally says in the article that they are replacing the football pitches, not sure how it’s a sad day for football

By Solly Away

I went to the consultation

Football is adjacent

Gym closure was signalled in June at the consultation

The city of Salford stadium gym should benefit and has newer facilities

By Thomas

Exciting times at Trafford City and good to see provision of new football pitches being included.

By Mr Happy

People seem to forget the DW gym itself which is closing- no mention of that – just the football of which there will be.
There should have been more thought-why not a gym as well as the football?

By Unhappy DW member

I know it’s all politics and money but does anyone give a thought to the locals trying to get anywhere else and find it very difficult with all the out of town traffic who haven’t a clue where they’re going and clog up the roads?

By Ruth Asha

Can anybody tell us 4000 unhappy gym members what is happening to our club if & when it’s due to close down!

By DW Gym member

4000 unhappy members why don’t you all get together with the Save George Carnall Campaign as this Leisure centre is to be a Community Interest Asset when Trafford Leisure hand the keys back, and we need e eryones help to keep this sports centre going!

By Maureen Dickinson

The M60, M62 and Tram works (it’s been dreadful as a result of these works mind you nothing compared to the City) must be coming to an end. Looking forward to the tram giving many more options.

EventCity is only relocating a few hundred yards from one site adjacent to the Trafford Centre to another post the team

Surprising that DW aren’t keep their members informed and offering them or suggesting one of the many alternatives

By Thomas

Is Event City also taking over DW gym next door? When I enquired @ Event City few wks ago, I was informed they were only taking over the current Soccordome? DW are behaving appallingly, as the members have been told it’s closing. We were told it was closing firstly end Oct 2019,then Nov & now they are saying end Dec?? It is obviously closing,as the coffee shop now stripped, some machines no longer in the gym, staff left, over 1,000 members now left. Hope someone can shed light on this subject as DW not telling all it’s loyal members anything (worried the amount of money they will lose if we all leave!????) I did speak to Trafford Planning few wks ago,who informed me that the Soccordome will be called Project Canyon (apparently indoor activities) not sure how this will work if Event City are in that building too???? Really (not)looking forward to standing traffic( as tho it’s not bad enough now!!) as Aldi also due to open @ the Retail Park Spring 2020. DW management should be ashamed of themselves, not keeping members informed!

By Sylvia Pilgrim

I’ve been a member since 2006 it’s appalling they way both Staff & Members have been treated by DW Fitness they’ve taken memberships off us & the Gym is in a state of disrepair They’ve removed treadmills Stair Masters & lots of other equipment there’s hardly any staff left This is a health & safety issue Shame on You D W Fitness

By Janice Carter

Closing DW and George Cornell is not the way to encourage local people to beceome or remain fit. DW is the only place locally to have a pool and to provide the classes we want. When DW and George Cornell both close Urmston Leisure centre will be unable to cope bit at least we will have football pitches! !!!

By A very unhappy DW member.

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