Plans for a £60m inland surfing lagoon in Greater Manchester have been unveiled by Belfast-based property developer McKinney Group. Documents submitted to Trafford Council show the scheme will be located on Peel L&P’s brownfield site off Barton Dock Road in Trafford Park.
It is planned to open in 2023 with consultation on the proposals set to begin next year before a planning application is submitted to the council.
Early designs feature a surfing lagoon, bar and restaurant facilities and other interactive attractions for visitors and surfers such as a pump track and fitness zone, a halfpipe/boarding area and exercise areas including bouldering and balancing zones. Powered by Wavegarden, the world leader in man-made, wave-generating technologies, the project known as Modern Surf Manchester will offer perfect waves for beginners, learners and professionals alike to test their skills.
Billy McKinney, Managing Director at McKinney Group said: “This is a really exciting project to be bringing to Greater Manchester.
“On the back of becoming an Olympic sport, surfing is growing in popularity and our plans will deliver perfect and consistent waves to TraffordCity and build on the region’s excellent and world leading sporting assets.
“As well as the clear financial benefits the proposals will deliver, Modern Surf Manchester will also provide significant health and well-being benefits locally.
“It is well-known that water-based sports can have a huge positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing, so I am looking forward to opening more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in surfing.”
The site is currently owned and managed by Peel L&P and TraffordCity is a retail, leisure and commercial destination encompassing the Trafford Centre and its surrounding 3.5 million square feet of retail, leisure and office space.
James Whittaker, Executive Development Director for Peel L&P said: “We’re passionate about investing and developing TraffordCity for the local community and beyond. “Our vision is to be the UK’s number one destination for the retail, leisure and business in a sustainable environment where over the last 25 years we have created over 17,500 jobs and invested over £1.6billion.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with McKinney Group on the plans for Modern Surf Manchester, which will bring something unique to the already strong leisure offering. “Alongside Therme Manchester, Modern Surf Manchester will be another fantastic leisure attraction to TraffordCity that will compliment all the surrounding businesses.”