Manchester’s Trafford Centre already has quite a lot going on. It’s a shopper’s paradise, sure, but there’s also the Legoland for families and Chill Factore for skiing fanatics. And now there’s going to be an absolutely giant, all-season beach and waterpark there, too.
The £250 million complex, named Therme Manchester, will cover 23 acres (or 19 football pitches). Inside, there’ll be the beach, 35 slides, a steam room, warm-water lagoons, mineral baths, ‘exotic palm tree relaxation areas’, and indoor and outdoor pools for children. The waterpark hopes to attract up to two million visitors a year, which is a heck of a lot.
There’ll also be water-based fitness classes, yoga and meditation sessions, plus the requisite cafés and restaurants. It’s not all about splashing around, though – the developers are including an education centre for schools and community groups. And the big focus is a two-acre garden at the centre of the park.
Developers Therme are clearly keen to move away from the prevailing image of a waterpark as somewhere slightly grotty. A spokesperson said ‘this bio-diverse garden for all seasons will be an evolving work of art, with petal-shaped terraces and beautiful pools and water features. It will act as a focal point for socialising, learning and discovery.’ No floating plasters and dodgy wave machines here, then.
The resort was due to open in 2023, but after resubmitting plans that include ‘immersive digital art’ and a ‘living slide’ (read: covered in plants), it’s looking more like 2025. In the meantime, you can stay up to date via the official Therme Manchester website.
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