A leading Labour politician has welcomed a cash injection of £20.7m to transform Partington Sports Village.

Extra funding to decarbonise the building could also be in the pipeline if grant funding from the GMCA’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) is approved.

The original Levelling Up Funding of £18.3m was awarded to the council last year and earmarked to deliver a raft of much-needed improvements.

Since then, the project has attracted further investment to overhaul the ageing building and leisure facilities.

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Cllr Catherine Hynes, updated members during Monday’s meeting of the Executive.

Cllr Hynes said: “I’m delighted to present this report to the Executive.

“It is an update on the progress and activity at Partington Leisure Village and the Levelling Up Programme.

“The report seeks permission to go to the next stage of the redevelopment and seeks approval to submit a planning application.

“Included in the document is the outcome of the recent public consultation exercise, and I have to say, engagement with the local community has been excellent.

“This is such an exciting project that will benefit everyone in the area.”

Plans include:

• The refurbishment of the leisure centre.
• The refurbishment of Cross Lane Changing Rooms.
• A new BMX/pump track at Cross Lane.
• A new trim trail around Cross Lane.
• Refurbishment works at Partington Youth and Community Centre (Greater Manchester Youth Federation).
• A new 3G pitch including access path from Warburton Lane to 3G pitches.
• Improved connectivity between Cross Lane and Warburton Road.

It is expected the Sports Village will be closed from October this year and reopen in January 2026.

The leisure facility is set to attract hundreds of new members particularly given the high spec of the development and extended opening hours.