Manchester council is planning to spend £31m on repairing and refurbishing the city’s Aquatics Centre in order to save it from closure. The flagship facility, known as MAC, opened in 2000 and played a major part in Manchester’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games two years later. But after decades of intensive use, parts of the building are approaching ‘end of life’ and need major investment to protect its long-term future. More than 10 million people - around 500,000 a year - have flocked to the swimming centre since it opened on Oxford Road, making it one of the busiest in the UK. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic MAC was generating £4m a year for Manchester’s economy, while also meeting the equivalent demands of six community swimming pools. Councillor Luthfur Rahman, executive member for culture and leisure, said: “This flagship facility is somewhere that everyone from beginners and school classes to Olympians and Paralympians can benefit from. Leisure has a crucial role to play in Manchester’s recovery from the social, health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It would be unthinkable to allow this key element of the city’s overall swimming provision, which also contributes to our global sporting reputation, to wither and die."

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Debdale Outdoor Centre successfully delivered the Fit and Fed programme over the Christmas Period. Joint funded by MCRactive and GLL, the centre hosted two enjoyable days of festivities for young people on Tuesday 22 and 29 December 2020 with the help of Centre Manager Martin Ware and his incredible team of volunteers.   A combined total of 40 participants took to the water across the two days for both a morning and afternoon session of sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and windsurfing. Participants engaged in a range of activities to develop skill, coordination and teamwork whilst gaining the benefits of being physically active in the fresh air.   Following the morning sailing session, the young people and volunteers were treated to a nutritious hot meal kindly donated by the Miles Platting Church of the Apostles. Soups, stews and bolognaise were on offer along with vegetarian options followed by brownies and chocolate cake.   Another session of sailing activities followed in the afternoon, culminating with a visit from our very own Santa to round off the day with a Christmas gift in the form of a warm blanket, present and sweet treat. The young participants displayed enthusiasm in abundance with interest in further participation confirmed by attendance at the following weekend’s junior sailing club.