After more than two and a half years of closure, Altrincham's transformed leisure centre has reopened its doors to the public following an extensive £20 million redevelopment.
The facility on Oakfield Road, now rebranded as move Altrincham, officially opened this morning with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries including Trafford Council leader Cllr Tom Ross and Executive Lead for Leisure, Cllr Eve Parker.
The reopening marks the end of a challenging transformation project that began in January 2023 and took a year longer than originally planned.
Trafford Council attributed the delays to "the challenges of transforming the 50-year-old building", but the wait appears to have been worth it for residents who were some of the first to experience the centre today.
"We're delighted to present this great new facility - a leisure centre that Altrincham can be proud of," said Cllr Eve Parker. "This investment will help meet our Council priorities for facilitating healthy and independent lives for Trafford residents, sport and leisure for all, and addressing climate change."
The state-of-the-art facility boasts an impressive array of completely new amenities, including two swimming pools - a 25-metre main pool and a 20-metre learner pool, both equipped with accessible pool pods.
A combined lobby area offers pool viewing alongside a café run by local favourites MOST Bakery, while wet village changing areas and an inclusive Changing Places toilet ensure accessibility for all users.
The centre also boasts a brand new wellbeing spa facility called The Cove, as well as a wellness assessment room, enlarged fitness suite, fitness changing and dry change areas, two flexible studio spaces, a live and virtual indoor cycle studio, a four-court sports hall, a gymnastics hub and staff rooms and offices.
Sustainability has been at the heart of the transformation, with the centre completely removing gas heating in favour of air source heat pumps and solar panels - supporting Trafford Council's ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2038. The green upgrade was made possible through over £2 million of funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation fund via Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Jo Cherrett, CEO of Trafford Leisure, said: "We've been absolutely blown away by the pre-opening membership sales; it shows just how much this community has been looking forward to having its wellbeing centre back."
The facility is opening in a planned, phased approach, with priority given to the popular Learn to Swim programme. This measured approach aims to ensure smooth operations as the centre welcomes back both familiar faces from the Altrincham team and new staff members.
The transformation has been supported by Sport England as part of their commitment to getting more people active across England.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place at Sport England, said: "move Altrincham has been transformed and in turn, the lives of communities across Altrincham and the surrounding areas will be transformed through improved access to sport and leisure opportunities."
This reopening represents the second facility to open under Trafford Leisure's new 'move' brand, following the successful redevelopment of move Urmston in March 2020. Further refurbishments are planned for leisure centres in Partington, Stretford, and Sale as part of Trafford's ongoing investment in community wellness facilities.
A formal celebration acknowledging the successful opening will be held later this year for special guests, community leaders and inspiring locals.
