An exciting new update has been issued on plans to create the UK's biggest water park, with the ambitious project combining a wellness centre and theme park.
The 82,000 square metre complex will be a very different proposition to the current largest indoor water park in the UK: Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool.
As well as more than 10 swimming pools and 18 slides, it will also have 25 saunas and steam rooms and a 4,960 square metre 'garden of wellbeing'.
The huge complex had been set to open next year, but hit a number of hurdles including the discovery of a rare orchid flower, and a redesign to improve sustainability and accessibility.
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Some were concerned the project would never get off the ground, but there has now been an exciting update.
Where will the UK's new biggest water park be?
You may be aware of the age old saying 'Manchester has got everything but a beach' from The Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, however this finally looks set to change as the long-rumoured £250 million waterpark is now finally underway.
Yes, that's right, the rainy northern city is set to get a huge upgrade as the Therme Group are bringing one of their famous indoor waterpark complexes to the city.
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The plans for Therme to open its doors in the UK isn't anything new, as the group has been in talks to build an indoor waterpark near Manchester's major shopping complex The Trafford Centre as far back as 2022, however for a long time it seemed like Therme Manchester would remain confined to architects' interpretations and wistful 'what ifs'.
Until now that is.
The latest Therme Manchester construction update
A major update on Therme Manchester has now been shared as plans for the complex have now been approved - which means that construction is finally underway.
Last week, the Manchester Evening News shared photos of construction work finally getting underway, with a 200m bore hole being drilled to access the 'natural thermal capacity' of the site.
When will Therme Manchester open?
The complex was originally set to open its doors next year - but given the delays and the scale of the building work, this obviously isn't going to happen.
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While bosses haven't explicitly given a new opening date, the MEN reports that the work is expected to take two and a half years, pushing the opening date back to 2027.
Which isn't too far away, but does mean we do have quite a while longer to wait until we're enjoying the park's many facilities.
While we're anxiously counting down the days, let's have a look at what the complex could look like.
Inside the plans for Therme Manchester
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The development will consist of over 10 swimming pools and 18 waterslides (according to the plans outlined on their official website) and will consist of three different zones - play, relax and restore.
The 'play' zone of the waterpark will feature all of the development's 'next-generation' water slides, as well as a wave pool, water lagoon and year-round beach, which means they'll be plenty of fun for all the family.
However if the idea of queuing up for waterslides and getting splashed in wave pools doesn't sound like your jam, you'll be delighted to hear about the arguably even more exciting 'relax' and 'restore' zones.
Restricted to adults-only, these two areas will be focused on wellness. The relax zone is said to feature various indoor and outdoor lagoons alongside mineral baths and steam rooms, while the restore zone aims to take relaxation to the next level and allow guests to indulge in spa therapies, cold water plunge pools and volcanic sulphur baths. Consider me sold.
The complex will also have various dining facilities to cater to all visitors, including family options and seasonal food.
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Just another two years to wait...
Brenna Cooper