Work has finally begun on the epic £250m indoor Therme water park and spa next to the Trafford Centre - after the EventCity complex was fully demolished. Therme Manchester will become the first well-being resort of its kind here in the UK.
Anyone heading to the Trafford Centre will now begin to see work starting on the vast 28-acre site after the full demolition of the former EventCity conference centre, right next to Trafford Palazzo. The finished Therme Manchester is set to open in 2025 and CGIs of how it will look show how the eye-popping glass-domed water park will look.
Bosses say it will "be a beacon for the North West of England" and will boast attractions for all ages and budgets. The vast indoor site will include Greater Manchester’s first all-season urban beach and a "next generation" indoor waterpark with a staggering 35 slides and 30 pools.
Read more: Huge instagrammable all-pink cafe EL&N set to open at Trafford Palazzo
Visitors can also expect thermal pools and spas, as well as swim-up bars, saunas and wellness suites. It will all be set within botanical gardens with huge palm trees and "living slides" covered in thousands of plants.
Regeneration business Peel L&P has now finished clearing the 28,000 sq metre former EventCity conference and exhibition centre ready for building works to begin. All that remains of EventCity are the old signs along Barton Dock Road and next to the Trafford Palazzo mall.
The clearance means the flagship development can now begin construction. It is being built by global developer and operator of state-of-the-art wellbeing destinations Therme Group which has achieved success with similar resorts across Europe over the past 20 years.
The development’s economic impact is estimated to be worth £4.5bn to the region including the creation of 1,200 jobs and with a strong focus on health, wellbeing and sustainability. Bosses believe their focus on wellbeing could help save over 1 million hospital admission days per year.
There are also plans for an education centre at Therme Manchester for schools and community groups to learn about nature and sustainability. Plus, access to local cycleways and paths will be improved, including to the neighbouring Bridgewater Canal.
The site also has the Metrolink lines running right next to it - with the Barton Dock Road stop just metres away from the entrance to what will become Therme Manchester. Bosses say it was important for them to have sustainable transport options to the city.
Therme say they are "committed to maximising these elements as they look to encourage both active and sustainable connectivity with the city and nearby neighbourhoods to encourage the concept of Wellbeing Cities".
James Whittaker, Peel L&P’s Executive Director of Development said: "Therme Manchester is a landmark development for the North and something the UK has never seen before.
"It’s incredibly exciting to see the land being prepared to welcome the resort to TraffordCity and we’re proud to help bring such an amazing attraction to the North West which we know will be enjoyed by so many people across the country whether it’s for a fun family day out, relaxation or educational trips."
Richard Land, Chief Development Officer of Therme Group UK, said: "We are delighted to see the demolition works complete; it is fantastic to see the site cleared and showing its amazing potential to be a global wellbeing destination. It defines a key milestone for us as we continue our journey to bring Therme to Manchester, a perfect location for our first facility in the UK."
What to expect from Therme Manchester
A vast, all-season beach, 35 slides, a tropical oasis, right here in Greater Manchester? It sounds just too good to be true doesn't it, writes Dianne Bourne.
Having seen all the CGIs myself over the past couple of years, I couldn't quite imagine that it would really look as good as the computer screen would have us believe.
But last year I was invited to visit the real-life Therme waterpark in Bucharest, Romania, to see just what Manchester has in store for it. And my jaw pretty much dropped when I headed inside the sizzling indoor oasis with its vast heated pools, palm trees, swim-up bars and myriad of water slides.
Incredibly, Therme Manchester will be DOUBLE the size of its sister venue in Bucharest and bosses say will look equally as epic - complete with palm trees and all. I can actually start to imagine now how incredible ours will look.
Even at half the size, you could spend a full day here and struggle to see and experience it all. Like Bucharest, Manchester will feature state-of-the-art saunas with a daily programme of rituals, as well as a full spa with a range of massages and treatments.
There will be restaurants, cafes and swim-up bars, hydro-pools, jacuzzi pools and regular swimming pools - inside and outdoors too. There was a broad range of people there during my visit, from family groups to couples, young and old, during the daytime.
As the sun set, the water park came to life with dazzling lights displays as groups of friends joined the fun as well for more of a nightclubby vibe with music too.
Prices have not yet been revealed for Manchester, but in Bucharest I was surprised by how affordable it was, with different options for half-day (4.5 hours) and a full day pass - and an off peak and peak price guide.
Off peak prices started at the equivalent of £8 for kids and £10 for adults in Romania. Bosses have promised they aim to keep the prices affordable for all budgets here in Manchester too.
Having experienced the Therme in Bucharest, to see the site finally getting built at Trafford City makes me incredibly excited for what is ahead in 2025 in Manchester.
Read next:-
I ate the perfect Sunday roast in new farm barn restaurant in the middle of a vegetable patch
The £45.50 all-you-can-eat menu with a slightly stressful time limit
Luxury hot chocolate cafe serving twenty different flavours to open in Manchester
The barber and bistro bringing the food of the West Bank to Stalybridge
- Queues out the door as first Gail's Bakery opens in north west - Manchester gets one next
