A new £9m leisure centre developed by Manchester City Council in partnership with Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) and Sport England has opened its doors to the public.

East Manchester Leisure Centre sits within the Etihad Campus, which includes the City Football Academy – MCFC’s new youth development and training centre – and is part of the ongoing long-term regeneration of east Manchester. One third of the funding for the centre came from the council, with a third from MCFC and a third from Sport England.

Part of the wider Beswick Community Hub, the GLL-operated site is one of three new leisure centres planned for Manchester, with another facility opening at Hough End in spring 2015 and construction due to start on Arcadia in Levenshulme this month.

Designed by architecture firm AHR, East Manchester Leisure Centre features a 35x21m community pool with a moveable floor which allows for depth adjustments. There is also a 70-station gym and dance studio, as well as a number of grass sports pitches outside.

“East Manchester Leisure Centre will provide opportunities and facilities for the community that haven’t been available in the area before,” said Pete Bradshaw, head of corporate responsibility at MCFC.

“It is our shared ambition with Manchester City Council that East Manchester should become a centre of sporting excellence for all – a place of good health and wellbeing and where sport and leisure is widely accessible.”