We have been pleasantly surprised since the return of the Manchester School Swimming Programme in September, 78% of the schools returned following consultation over the Summer period where MCRactive worked with all 5 pool operators (GLL, Everybody Active, Love Withington Baths, Broadway Community Development Group and Wright Robinson High School) to ensure the sessions could be delivered safely.     There are currently 171 sessions being delivered per week across 10 facilities. There are a total of 6,255 pupils attending per week and since the programme has returned since September the distance swam by our pupils is approximately 5,000,000 metres, equivalent to 3,106 miles. This is like swimming from Manchester to Montreal, Canada. We kept in communication with all schools to provide them with regular updates throughout the summer holidays and shared all guidance and resources with them, this obviously gave them confidence that processes and operations within the centres were to a high standard.    Manchester is one of a small number of programmes that have started back up across the whole of the country; and here in Manchester we are committed to ensuring that we support schools in delivering the compulsory element of the key stage 2 National Curriculum, whereby all pupils by the time they leave primary school should be able to achieve the following –    1. Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations 2. Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres 3. Use a range of strokes effectively, for example, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.   The support from the schools is fantastic as they understand the importance of teaching their pupils to swim – “Thanks very much for making sure that our children can still access Manchester swimming lessons. Our children love swimming and we have worked hard with your team to ensure that all children learn to swim before they leave primary school. We did Risk Assess the first swimming lessons in September and were very impressed with the standard of safety and care at Arcadia  leisure centre. Much appreciated” Head teacher   Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, said:

The Providers Portal is a unique shared data platform managing sport and physical activity information, content and inspiration across MCRactive.com. Ease of access and choice is imperative to increasing physical activity levels across Manchester, and as such, we have created a new online platform that will become the home for all activity providers to advertise and promote their opportunities online. If you know a Provider delivering across Manchester, please let them know this platform exists! Or, if you are a Provider and would like to feature on the site and be a part of the journey, CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

During phase 1 of our investment at Whalley Range Sports Centre, we completed a £250,000 full refurbishment of the centres existing Reception, Bar and Outdoor 3G Football pitches (8 x5 a side pitches and 1 x7 a side pitch). All of our pitches now have new 3G turf, goal nets, boards and LED lights. The pitches are also suitable for play in all weather so we are the perfect venue for training sessions and matches when the weather is bad. In our refurbished bar you will find an upgraded audio visual provision, new lighting & flooring and a fresh new design.   During Phase 2 of our investment we have invested a further £160,000 to improve your gym at Whalley Range Sports Centre. You'll now find upgraded cardio and resistance equipment, 18 stations of brand new Technogym functional equipment, upgraded audio visual provision, new flooring and lighting and a fresh new look and feel.   In addition to our £400,000 investment, we now have brand new dedicated women’s only gym sessions each week! Kick start your fitness regime in our gym where you can hit the cardio kit and resistance machines in comfort. Our women's only gym sessions allow you to exercise in a welcoming environment.