Trafford, in Greater Manchester, UK, has a new wellbeing facility following a £20 million upgrade by operator Trafford Leisure, to improve provision and sustainability.

Supported by Sport England funding, the former Altrincham Leisure Centre in the UK has been rebranded as Move Altrincham and features two swimming pools – 25 metres and 20 metres – both equipped with accessible pool pods. Move Altrincham also offers an enlarged fitness suite with two flexible studio spaces, an indoor cycle studio delivering live and virtual classes, a wellness assessment room and a four-court sports hall and a gymnastics hub.

A new spa, The Cove, has been launched offering spa days and thermal spa experiences. Massages and four treatment rooms are available in the four treatment rooms.

The Thermal Spa includes a vitality pool (heated to a comfortable 36-38°C), a heated bench rest, sensory shower, drench shower, cold therapy ice fountain, heated relaxation lounge, aroma steamroom, juniper sauna and salt therapy sauna.

The old gas heating system has been replaced with air source heat pumps and solar panels, supporting Trafford Council’s action plan to be carbon neutral by 2038.

The upgraded leisure centre will deliver part of the council’s physical activity strategy, Trafford Moving, which aims to get the community moving more often and reduce health inequalities across the borough.

CEO of Trafford Leisure, Jo Cherrett, says: “This is the second site Trafford Leisure has opened under the new 'move' brand and together we're truly redefining what community leisure looks and feels like.

“We’ve been thrilled by the pre-opening membership sales; it shows just how much the local community has been looking forward to the reopening.

"This is about so much more than just a leisure centre; it’s about bringing people together and supporting wellbeing for all ages.”

Three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, James Guy MBE, learned to swim at the leisure centre and was wowed by the upgrade: “I have no doubt these facilities will inspire the next generation of swimmers,” he said. “Every child who walks through these doors has the potential to achieve something special, whether that’s learning to swim, competing at the highest level or simply falling in love with being in the water like I did all those years ago.”

Trafford Leisure is a community interest company owned by Trafford Council and has refurbishments planned for Partington, Stretford and Sale leisure centres. Move Urmston was launched in March 2020.