PLANS have been revealed to redevelop the George H Carnall leisure centre in Urmston.

The Trafford Leisure company handed the centre back to the council in 2016 and announced that the centre would be closed once an expansion to Urmson Leisure Centre had taken place.

The decision to close the centre was not taken lightly by residents and councillors and since, discussions have been underway to secure the future of the site.

The plans form part of the Council’s multi-million ambitious leisure strategy that will now see George H Carnall transformed into a sport, health and wellbeing hub alongside becoming the new home of Manchester Giants - the only professional basketball team in the North West.

Already working with schools across Greater Manchester, the Giants will also link with local people offering health and wellbeing programmes. Their community team will be out and about in Trafford on a daily basis raising awareness, not just of basketball, but health and wellbeing generally, especially to our young people.

John Dwan, Manchester Giants chief executive, said: “It has been a priority for us to find a long term venue that can house and develop our club, not just the elite BBL Basketball team, but also our junior basketball and netball teams, as well as our fast growing community programmes. After fruitless discussions with other venues in recent years securing our own sustainable and affordable facility is a major step forward for the club.”

Part of the centre will be refurbished to offer sporting facilities and accessible space for community groups. A new health hub will be created, linked to a step up-step down type facility - more detailed health related proposals will come in following weeks.

There will also be new green gym will be provided on the green space surrounding the centre.

The redeveloped site will also include new affordable residential accommodation specifically for people who work in key public services, such as nurses, teachers and police officers. It is anticipated that up to 60 homes will be provided.

These proposals support the Council’s Vision 2031 to make Trafford a national beacon of sport and physical activity accessible to all.

The proposals for George H Carnall require further development and will be subject to planning and consultation - the centre will continue as normal until the redevelopment commences.

Leader of the Council, Sean Anstee, said: “I am really pleased that residents in Urmston, Davyhulme and Flixton are the first to benefit from the Council’s significant investment in sport and leisure with the appointment of Willmott Dixon to commence construction at Urmston Leisure Centre.

"In addition, at George H Carnall we have worked really hard with key partners to come up with an innovative and exciting opportunity that will complement the refurbished Urmston Leisure Centre.

"We’re absolutely delighted therefore to be able to announce that the Manchester Giants, the North West’s only basketball team, will be making this site their home, and bringing with them their great track record of engaging with schools and the wider community alongside affordable residential homes and health hub."

Work is also to commence on the new £6.4 million leisure centre for Urmston.

Construction experts Willmott Dixon will deliver the Council’s state-of-the-art project, expected to be completed by December this year.

Once finished, residents will benefit from modern sporting facilities including a swimming pool, large fitness suite, three studios, improved viewing balcony and reception area that will form the ‘heart’ of the building. Clip and play and other new family friendly activities will also be introduced.

Sean Anstee said: "Taken together, these two opportunities represent an investment in excess of £45m in the local M41 community. This is a great example of public sector funding attracting significant private sector investment.

"We believe both developments will provide a great mix of facilities to help improve health and wellbeing among our residents.”