Return of The MAC: The Manchester Aquatics Centre reopens to the public

With Phase 1 of its extensive renovation complete, the new-look Manchester Aquatics Centre has reopened to the public ahead of the World Para Swimming Championships next month, promising direct access to bleeding-edge leisure facilities for residents across the city.

Closed to the public since November 2021, the leisure centre and Olympics-level sports complex has implemented revelatory upgrades to all areas and aspects of the building, including improvements to both 50m swimming pools and the 25m diving pool, three new gym spaces across one level with new studios and cycle areas, an enhanced leisure pool with new splash pad facilities, a modernised cafe and accessible provisions added to changing spaces.

Alongside the staggeringly comprehensive structural overhaul, the National Public Sector Decarbonisations Scheme has invested £3m into state-of-the-art green energy sources to transform the centre into a totem of sustainability, as part of Manchester City Council’s commitment to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2038.

Phase 2 of the refurbishment will begin in September, with further renovations planned for all basement areas over the following twelve months.

Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said:

“The reopening of the Manchester Aquatics Centre is a momentous occasion for the city and it’s wonderful to welcome people back to the newly renovated facility, one of the leading aquatics venues in the UK. The return of the Aquatics Centre is a key strategic goal for the Council, we want to ensure that our communities have access to state-of-the-art facilities in Manchester and, make sure that we’re looking after the wellbeing, both physical and mental, of our residents.

“Thanks to the Council’s large investment, the Aquatics Centre is now better equipped to suit the needs of our residents, who can now benefit from a wide range of brilliant sports equipment, aquatic upgrades, spa facilities and changing space – I would encourage anyone to go down to test out the new facilities.”

For more information, check out the Manchester City Council website.