‘Much-loved’ Stretford Leisure Centre to get multi-million pound makeover

Town hall bosses have said the plans will ‘totally transform’ the centre on Chester Road ahead of the authority’s executive meeting on Monday (February 20) where the move is expected to be rubber-stamped.

If the plans are approved, the centre – branded Move Stretford and operated by Trafford Leisure – could benefit from a refurbished 25m swimming pool; a 20m learner pool; an enlarged lobby area and café; two separate gender specific wet changing rooms, separate family wet changing room and accessible changing room; two Changing Places facilities and two separate sports hall changing rooms.

Proposals also include a sauna and steam room; an enlarged fitness suite; a ladies-only gym; two flexible studio spaces; an immersive spin studio; a four- court sports hall; a three-lane Urban Cricket Centre; a viewing gallery and padding-up facility.

Council chiefs say the new mix of facilities at Stretford has been planned with support from partners to deliver long-term sustainable leisure provision that gives the best health and wellbeing outcomes for residents.

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’.

A large-scale consultation period will be held with residents regarding the planned refurbishment at Stretford, if the plans get the go-ahead.

Coun Jo Harding, Trafford’s executive member for culture, leisure and strategic partnerships, said: “Trafford Council is totally committed to the health and wellbeing of residents across the borough and to providing the best facilities possible to achieve fitness and health. We are proud of the work being carried out to our leisure centres to achieve these goals.”

Jo Cherrett is chief executive of Trafford Leisure, a community interest company, wholly owned by Trafford council, which manages the facilities on behalf of the authority.

She said: “We are passionate about the health and wellbeing of our community, and a key commitment of the council is to improve our much-loved leisure centres.

“The local community in and around Stretford are passionate about their town and have an overwhelming desire to see their community thrive.”