Plans for new swimming pool and gym to be submitted as next steps in Thornaby Town Deal

Plans for a new 25 metre, five lane swimming pool and gym that connects into Thornaby Pavilion Leisure Centre are to be submitted as part of the next steps to transform the town centre through the £23.9million Thornaby Town Deal.

Proposals include a new swimming pool, larger gym space and modern changing facilities, along with a new dedicated entrance providing access to the entire leisure centre.

Enhancements will also be made to the internal layout and fitness spaces in the existing building as well as improvements to the surrounding public realm. A new car park will also be created, providing around 50 additional spaces.

The two-storey building will sit on the site of the former Phoenix House. A planning application for the complex will be submitted by the end of July and if approved, work on the new building will begin in early 2025, with the facility set to open in 2026.

The new swimming pool and gym is one of a number of key projects being delivered with the support and endorsement of the Thornaby Town Deal Board. The Town Deal Board is made up of local stakeholders from key public and private sector bodies, including Thornaby Councillors and the local MP.

The Council's Cabinet also approved a further £4.5million of investment to support the Town Deal funding, delivering a high-quality, modern leisure facility for the community.

The new pool will offer more learn-to-swim opportunities for the wider community, as well as school swimming partnerships and will be operated by Tees Active Leisure.

As part of this project, the existing Thornaby Pool on Thornaby Road will close and will be demolished. The programme for the closure of Thornaby Pool will be carefully phased to ensure there is still a swimming facility available until the new pool is complete and open to the public.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Thornaby is a thriving town, which means there is also an increasing demand for modern, first class services.

"From these exciting plans, it's clear to see that the fantastic leisure facilities here are going to be very popular for many years to come.

"One of the Thornaby Town Deal Board's priorities is to tackle vacant properties in the town centre and replacing an empty, tired building like Phoenix House with a modern community asset like this aligns perfectly with the Council's ambitions to transform its six town centres to ensure they remain vibrant places."

Mark White CBE DL, Chair of Thornaby Town Deal Board, said: "These exciting plans are testament to the hard work of all the Town Deal Board members in helping to bring about funding for such an ambitious project.

"They have backed this project from the very start and their vision has turned into a reality with these stunning designs."

The plans for the new leisure facility are available to view online.

The plans are also available to view in-person in Thornaby Pavilion. A member of the Council's Town Centres Investment Team will be also available on the following dates to discuss the plans:

• Tuesday 9 July between 10am and 1pm 
•  Monday 15 July between 10am and 1pm