Exciting multi-million pound plans to completely transform Altrincham Leisure Centre
into a fabulous state-of-the-art facility have been approved by councillors.
Trafford Council’s Executive has given the green light to plans for the large scale
refurbishment of the popular facility – branded move Altrincham – on Oakfield Road in
the town centre.
The centre will now benefit from a 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 at Altrincham Leisure Centre has been developed with support
from Sport England to deliver long-term sustainable leisure provision that gives the best
health and wellbeing outcomes for residents – a long term commitment to the local
community from Trafford Council.
The designs also include the replacement of the fossil fuel (gas) heating system with Air
Sourced Heat Pumps and Solar Panels, which are significantly more sustainable options
than the existing systems, and support Trafford Council’s carbon neutral action plan. A
large scale online consultation event was held with residents in January this year – and a
total of 576 people responded to the consultation and were largely in favour.
The investment supports the Council’s strategy and commitment to get more people
moving more often, helping improve health and wellbeing, and is part of its Physical
Activity Strategy, ‘Trafford Moving’. It 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, and will see further refurbishments
carried out on a phased arrangement, with Altrincham Leisure Centre earmarked as the
first to be transformed followed by both Stretford and Sale.
Jo Cherrett is CEO of Trafford Leisure, a community interest company wholly owned by
Trafford Council, which manages leisure in Trafford on behalf of Trafford Council, using
any profits and assets for community benefit. She says: “We are ecstatic to finally get
the green light from Trafford Council on the full refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure
Centre. We know it has been a long time coming, and we can’t wait to breathe life back
into the building, future proofing it for future generations. However, we want to
reassure customers that during the temporary closure there be access to alternative
local options for physical activity and sport, so that clubs, lessons, memberships and
activities can continue wherever possible.
“This refurbishment isn’t simply a lick of paint, it’s a multi-million-pound investment,
bringing modern leisure facilities to the people of Altrincham. The local community in
and around Altrincham are passionate about their town and have an overwhelming
desire to see their community thrive. When we re-open our doors, the modern, fit-for-
purpose leisure venue will be an inspiring space to help local residents with every aspect
of their wellbeing. It will become the second site Trafford Leisure will open under the
new brand name, move.
“move Altrincham, with its new extension, will offer more than 5,500 square metres of
sport and leisure activities to help Trafford Leisure achieve its vision of becoming the
most active place in England. The refurbishment will include the replacement of the fossil
fuel (gas) heating system with Air Sourced Heat Pumps and Solar Panels, which are
significantly more sustainable options than the existing systems and support Trafford
Council’s action plan to be Carbon Neutral by 2038. When move Altrincham opens, the
facilities, services and our team of wellbeing experts can help you move to more every
day. Together, let’s get Trafford moving more. move Altrincham will showcase that there
really is opportunity for physical activity for everyone.”
Trafford Council Leader, Cllr Andrew Western, said: “This 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 will now be able to completely transform
Altrincham Leisure Centre into an amazing 21 st century facility for everyone to enjoy.
“This centre will be truly inspirational – like our move Urmston site – and I for one can’t
wait for the work to be completed. 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 ensure they can improve their health, fitness and wellbeing. Thank you to the
Executive for supporting these truly exciting plans.”
The proposals are subject to further consultation and securing planning permission which
is expected to be submitted in Autumn 2022.
The centre will be closed over Christmas 2022 to prepare for the work being carried out
in January 2023. The full refurbishment of Altrincham Leisure Centre is estimated to take
up to 18 months.
