The announcement marks a major milestone for the community following a devastating arson attack that destroyed more than half of the original facility. Following extensive negotiations, the council has successfully resolved a £5.4 million insurance settlement, unlocking funding needed to progress with the next stage of the project and deliver a landmark health and wellbeing hub.
Designed in direct response to extensive community consultation with residents, local schools, and sports clubs, the new building will replace lost facilities with eco-friendly, modern amenities:
The proposed leisure centre will be built on a nearby brownfield site adjacent to Salford Shopping Centre, placing it at the heart of wider regeneration plans and within easy reach of local neighbourhoods and new green pedestrian corridors.
Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council, said:
“The fire at Clarendon Leisure Centre was a devastating moment for our city, but today marks an exciting turning point. We promised local residents that we wouldn’t just patch up what was lost and have always been clear that we wanted to bring high-quality leisure facilities back to this community. This new centre will be built entirely around what local people told us they wanted. From kids learning to swim in the new pool and splash pad, to older residents keeping active in the gym or meeting friends in the café, this hub will be a beating heart that will serve generations to come while investing in people’s health, wellbeing and communities.”
Andrew Fethers, Chair of Salford Community Leisure, added:
” We know how much Clarendon meant to local people and how keen residents have been to see progress. Despite the complex challenges following the fire, we never lost sight of what this means to the health and wellbeing of people in Salford. By securing the insurance settlement and actively seeking grant funding alongside backing the project with council support, we are turning a senseless arson attack into a major positive investment for Salford.”
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