Manchester Aquatics Centre

MAC

Building information

Full name

City

Manchester, England

Capacity

approx. 1000

Built

1996–2000

Opened

12 October 2000

Architect(s)

FaulknerBrowns Architects

Home club(s)

City of Manchester Aquatics Swim Team
City of Manchester Water Polo Club
University of Manchester Swimming Club
University of Manchester Canoe Club

Pools

Name	Length	Width	Depth	Lanes
Main pool	50 m	20 m	0–2 m	8
Diving pool	25 m	~25 m	0–5.1 m	6
Leisure pool	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Training pool	50 m	16 m	0–1.8 m	4

Coordinates: 53°28′10″N 2°14′08″W / 53.46944°N 2.23556°W / 53.46944; -2.23556

The Manchester Aquatics Centre ("MAC") is a public aquatics sports facility south of the centre of Manchester, England, north of the main buildings of the University of Manchester, and near the Manchester Metropolitan University. It was purpose–built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and cost £32 million to build. Before it was built, for many years its site was open waste ground left by demolishing inner-city industrial terrace houses.

The building was designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects. The building takes the approximate shape of an asymmetric trapezoidal prism (the apex is located to provide clearance above the highest diving board), and from the outside the roof resembles a wave. Construction started in August 1996, and was completed in July 2000, with finishing touches made in September 2001. MAC hosts many swimming and water polo events but also hosts Lancashire County Championships and Age group North west Regionals for swimming. It was opened on 12 October 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II.

The centre's facilities include:

It is jointly owned by Manchester City Council, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. All the facilities can be used by members of the public.

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