Site preparation commences on Therme’s £250m mega water park and tropical spa in Trafford

Site preparation has commenced on the £250m mega indoor Therme water park and tropical spa based in Trafford Park on the site of the previous EventCity.

EventCity, opposite the Trafford Centre, has now been demolished, as the first wellbeing resort of its kind for the UK is set to take shape on the 28-acre site — the size of 19 football pitches.

The indoor holiday resort is expected to be completed by 2025 and anyone visiting the area can watch as it gradually takes form in the process — located next to the Trafford Palazzo. CGI images released depict how the glass-domed indoor tropical water park is set to eventually look.

Bosses say it will be a ‘beacon for the North West of England’ and will boast attractions for all ages and budgets. The spacious indoor site will hold Manchester’s first all-season urban beach and a ‘next generation’ indoor waterpark with an impressive 34 slides and 30 pools.

Visitors can also expect thermal pools and spas, as well as swim-up bars, saunas and wellness suites. The new park will 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 the former site is old signage along Barton Dock Road and next to the Trafford Palazzo mall. The structure 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 economic impact of the new development is estimated to be worth £4.5bn to the region including the creation of around 1,200 jobs with a strong focus on health, sustainability and wellbeing. Bosses believe the focus on wellbeing could help save over 1 million hospital admission days a year.

There are also plans to have an education centre based at the Manchester Therme for schools and community groups to learn about nature and sustainability. Access to local walking and cycling paths are also to be improved, including to the local Bridgewater Canal.

The metrolink is also located right next to it with the Barton Dock stop just metres away from the Therme Manchester entrance. 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.”

Prices have not yet been revealed for Manchester but bosses have promised they aim to keep the prices affordable for all budgets here.