Trafford Council has applied for planning permission to transform Altrincham Leisure Centre, with work expected to take around 18 months.
The plans for the Oakfield Road facility include a new 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.
The new mix of facilities, developed with support from Sport England, has already been given the green light by councillors.
A large scale online consultation event was also held with residents in January this year, with 576 people responding, largely in favour.
The council has said however that the centre will have to close for two weeks from Tuesday 4 October to carry out essential maintenance and assessment in readiness for the appointed contractor to be able to start on site.
If the plans go ahead, the centre will then be closed over Christmas 2022 to prepare for the work being carried out in the new year. The full refurbishment would take up to 18 months.
The investment in the new leisure centre forms part of a borough-wide long-term strategy 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.
Jo Cherrett, CEO of Trafford Leisure, 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 is 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.
“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.
“Thank you to the Executive for supporting these truly exciting plans.”
