Site shifts begin to make way for £175m Therme
The relocation of EventCity in Trafford to the nearby Soccer Dome is set to be approved, making way for the proposed £175m Therme resort on the vacated plot on Barton Dock Road.
EventCity is a conference and exhibition centre, currently based to the south-east of Barton Square.
Plans were revealed by Peel L&P last year to relocate the venue to a nearby site occupied by Soccer Dome, in order to build a 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.
Under the plans, EventCity is set to open on the redeveloped Soccer Dome site by spring 2021. The scheme includes a central foyer, reconfigured entrance hall, extensive parking, and events spaces. Bate & Taylor is the architect.
A planning application for Therme was submitted in November and is yet to be considered. The tropical-themed, warm water resort is due to open by early 2022, and is being developed by Therme in partnership with Peel L&P. Therme is advised by WSP | Indigo and Exterior Architects.
According to Therme, the scheme aims to be “the world’s most advanced wellbeing resort, accessible to all, embodying a perfect interplay of nature, technology and culture.”
The relocation of EventCity is recommended for approval at Trafford Council’s planning committee next week. Alongside, the council is due to sign-off proposals to rebuild the Fives Soccer Centre, which occupied Soccer Dome, on a site next to Chill Factore.
Initially, Sports England objected to the closure of Soccer Dome, due to concerns the pitches would not be replaced. However, Peel argued the use of the site for sports pitches was not commercially viable, and that the replacement facilities would give a net gain in total pitch space.
