£35m Highlight Active hub set for summer opening

The £35m Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub in Hartlepool is set for a summer opening, after construction of the flagship facility has entered the final fit-out stage.

Located at The Waterfront within Hartlepool marina, the facility will replace the old Mill House Leisure Centre, which opened its doors in 1972 and has now reached the end of its operational life.

Designed by GT3 Architects, the centre will feature three swimming pools: a 25m eight-lane main pool, a 25m four-lane learner pool with moveable floor and a leisure pool with race slide and interactive water play features.

In addition, there will be a large health club with a 100-station gym, two inter-connected fitness studios and dedicated indoor cycling studio.

Other facilities will include active and soft play areas, function and meeting rooms, a café with panoramic seating overlooking the marina and NHS consultationsuites, built as part of a partnership with University Hospitals Tees.

Built by contractor, Wates, Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub is being funded by Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and Sport England. It forms part of a larger, £160m capital regeneration programme currently being delivered by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “People in the region deserve to have access to the very best sports facilities and Highlight stands as a shining example of how our investment is making that ambition a reality.”