Manchester’s landmark leisure centre, the Manchester Aquatics Centre, is set to finally reopen to the public next week.
The huge sports facility has been closed since 2021 and operating at a reduced capacity while undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment.
The first and largest phase of Manchester City Council‘s £31m project will wrap up next week, right in time for the World Para Swimming Championships in late July.
Members of the public will be able to visit the Manchester Aquatics Centre again from Monday 26 June, which now has an improved energy efficiency and refurbished facilities.
The work that’s taken place includes improvements to the swimming pools, enhanced health and fitness facilities (including three new gym spaces on one level, a new fitness class studio, and a new group cycle studio), and leisure water with splash pad facilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s a new and improved cafe space, a health suite, and accessible changing spaces to support those with additional needs, plus digital and sustainable technologies to provide a more modern and efficient building.
The Oxford Road leisure centre‘s refurb has focused on its energy efficiency and decarbonisation as part of the council’s commitment to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2038.
ADVERTISEMENT
That’s included more than 1000 solar panels on the roof, all-electric Air Source Heat Pumps to replace the existing gas heating system, and a new Building Management System being installed.
The gym at Manchester Aquatics Centre. Credit: Manchester City Council
Phase two of the refurbishment works will start in September and focus on upgrading all basement areas over a 12-month period.
Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said: “The reopening of the Manchester Aquatics Centre is a momentous occasion for the city and it’s wonderful to welcome people back to the newly renovated facility, one of the leading aquatics venues in the UK.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The return of the Aquatics Centre is a key strategic goal for the Council, we want to ensure that our communities have access to state-of-the-art facilities in Manchester and, make sure that we’re looking after the wellbeing, both physical and mental, of our residents.
“Thanks to the Council’s large investment, the Aquatics Centre is now better equipped to suit the needs of our residents, who can now benefit from a wide range of brilliant sports equipment, aquatic upgrades, spa facilities and changing space – I would encourage anyone to go down to test out the new facilities.”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The reopening of the Manchester Aquatics Centre is great news for Manchester residents and for the sustainability of our city. With decarbonisation at the centre of its regeneration, the new-look Aquatics Centre will help to put Manchester on a greener path.
Inside the revamped Manchester Aquatics Centre. Credit: Manchester City Council
“As a Council we are committed to becoming zero carbon by 2038, and integrating energy efficiency into MAC’s refurbishment is yet another step towards this crucial goal.”
Andy King, CEO of Manchester Active, said: “The centre is a key player in contributing to Manchester’s reputation as an international city of sport and remains one of the most important legacy outcomes of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in the success of GB Para Swimming.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Not only will we welcome back a thriving events programme with national/international reach and significant economic value to Manchester, but also over 700 school children each week via Manchester school Swimming Programme and over 900 people on public learn 2 swim programmes, plus up to 14,000 health & fitness members and over 70,000 students from both Manchester universities.”
Activity programmes for all ages including juniors and seniors are available to view: www.better.org.uk/mac.
For more information on Manchester Active, please visit: www.mcractive.com
Jürgen Klopp reveals the main reason he turned down the Manchester United job
Danny Jones
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has revealed one of the main reasons he turned down the Manchester United job more than a decade ago.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund boss turned Merseyside hero spent nine years at Anfield, going on to win a Champions League, Premier League, and a collection of cups.
It’s also worth noting that this all came in the years following the departure of legendary Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but there could have been an alternate reality where Klopp carried on where ‘Fergie’ left off, as the now 58-year-old says the club spoke to him during that time.
With Sir Alex leaving in 2013 after the best part of 30 years, Klopp told Steven Bartlett on his most recent Diary of A CEO episode that “of course, they were interested.”
OUT NOW!
💥Jürgen Klopp on The Diary Of A CEO
Some of the topics we cover:
•His surprise at Liverpool’s £450m transfer window and why he didn’t get the same money
•He says a return to Liverpool is possible – but he couldn’t ask for just one year off
Admitting that the interest was mutual “at one point”, the prospect of joining Liverpool‘s historic rivals clearly appealed to him.
Noting that he was flourishing as an up-and-coming coach (aged 46 back then) in charge of an impressive Dortmund team – adding that even some of his then future players to be at Liverpool flew to watch them play in the Champions League – it’s clear he had plenty of suitors.
However, the retired German footballer turned ‘Gegenpressing’ tactician goes on to explain that despite United trying to poach him from the Bundesliga, it was “the wrong time, wrong moment for me.”
Crucially, he says that some aspects of the conversations between him and the club at the time proved to be a turn-off rather than an incentive, citing talk of ‘the biggest club in the world’ and supposedly “signing any player we want.”
In short, Klopp says that, crucially, it didn’t sound like it would have been his project, drawing parallels to the board wanting to bring back players like Paul Pogba, with arguably similar ‘mistakes’ being made with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. In his eyes, looking backwards simply “never helps”.
You can see the clip in full here:
Had he not turned down the offer, do you think Klopp could have helped rebuild Man United?
According to Klopp, after negotiations seemed to revolve primarily around the kind of players they were going to bring in, he decided the opportunity wasn’t for him.
Nevertheless, it looked like things worked out for Merseyside’s biggest club, at least, as he went on to become one of the most successful managers in the Premier League, managing to break up the long period of dominance overseen by both Manchester United and, most recently, Man City.
As for the red half of Manchester, they at the very least had a good weekend as they finally ended their long wait for a win away against Liverpool.
In case you missed it, you can watch the highlights – including another big clutch goal from Harry Maguire – down below.
A 5k charity event where runners dress up as Pitbull is coming to Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Yep, you read it right the first time – a regular 5k charity run returns to Manchester this month, only this time, those taking part will be dressed up as Pitbull for some reason…
Don’t ask us, we just thought it was funny and it’s for a good cause, so why the hell not?
For a little context, this is the latest idea from Slow Run Club: a local running organisation that takes place weekly at three different locations across Greater Manchester.
We know ‘Mr Worldwide’ himself has been and gone, having played a couple of nights in Manchester earlier this year, but these lot have decided two nights of yelling ‘Timberrrr’ still wasn’t quite enough and asking those joining the October fundraising 5k to dress up like the one and only Pitbull.
In case you missed it when ‘Dale’ fever took over the city streets this past summer, bald caps, sunglasses, black felt goatees and drawn-on moustaches descended upon central Manchester as they have been all over the UK and beyond for his live shows.
Was it utterly daft? Yes. Was it still one of THE best gig crowds we’ve seen in yonks? Absolutely.
The 44-year-old Floridian rapper and resurgent pop star played multiple nights at the Co-op Live, and they were brilliant, but we’re not going to pretend that the best wasn’t seeing the sea of shiny bald heads and shades in suits and ties.
It’s rare that you see such a shared moment of abandoning inhibitions and embracing the silliness; it was genuinely so great to see, and it’s that same energy that these guys are trying to tap into. Put simply, it’s about letting go and dancing like no one’s watching.
Teaming up with fellow charity-focused running group, Run The Streets MCR, Slow Run Club (SRC)’s Pitbull fancy-dress-themed run is just the latest in a growing trend of alternative ways to get some exercise in.
After you’ve gone all ‘305’ at the Pitbull run, these Manchester runners are worth looking into as well.
Having done everything from the regular fancy dress Halloween runs to Oasis, Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA-themed runs, and many more, you’d be surprised how much you don’t care about what people think when you’re running around and dancing to tunes – especially when it’s for charity.
Once again, the Slow Run Club x Run The Streets MCR ‘Pitbull Edition’ 5k charity run takes place this month on Wednesday, 22 October, from 6:30pm onwards outside The Tap House on Circle Square, just off the Oxford Road Corridor, before setting off at a laid-back social pace.
This is the same place and time you’ll find SRC’s city centre regular meet-up every week; speaking to The Manc, founder Holly Spiers said: “We run from The Taphouse every Wednesday (just not usually dressed as Pitbull) and offer an inclusive pace as well as rest stops.”
Speaking of fancy dress, if you haven’t seen the group of four mates who made history at the 2025 Manchester Half, stop what you’re doing and read this:
These legends set an incredibly fun, wholesome and amusing world record at this year's @ManchesterHalf – all whilst raising money for @andysmanclubuk. 👏
Daisy Jackson -
22nd June 2023 
