Construction work to transform an area of Beswick into a world class sport and community hub reached its first milestone as project leaders celebrated the topping out of the Connell Sixth Form College.

Connell College is part of Bright Futures Educational Trust, which is bringing quality education to the young people of East Manchester.

The joint regeneration project between Manchester City Council and Manchester City Football Club will alter the face of the 16-acre site in East Manchester and will bring brand new leisure, education and employment opportunities to the area.

The first phase of the development will include a new leisure centre with a public pool, a new rugby pitch, new road layout and public realm – as well as the new Connell Sixth Form College that will bring 600 sixth form places for 16 – 21 year olds meeting growing demand for sixth form places in East Manchester.


Connell Sixth Form College opened for the first time this September and is currently based at The East Manchester Academy. The new college building will be completed in time for the beginning of the academic year in 2014.

Groundwork for the new leisure centre has also already started with completion expected summer 2014.

Complementing Manchester City Football Club's Etihad Campus adjacent to the community hub, and there are also plans for a world-class research and diagnostic facility to advance the academic study of sport and health as part of the second phase of the development, as well as improved local shops.

Local engineering and construction specialists Laing O'Rourke are delivering the project.

Cllr Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: "This first milestone is a real celebration for the project that is transforming this part of Beswick. East Manchester is known as a world renowned centre for sporting excellence and this scheme will sit comfortably beside those elite facilities bringing top class leisure and education amenities to the local community – including one of three brand new leisure centres planned for the city in the coming months."

(CD/MH)