Leisure centre plans revealed in town revamp

Plans for a swimming pool and gym in a new leisure centre have been revealed.

The facility in Thornaby, Teesside, will be built on the site of the former Phoenix House in efforts to transform the town centre.

The existing pool in Thornaby Road will be closed and demolished but Stockton Council said there would be a "carefully phased" programme to keep a pool open for the public.

Approving the plans, the Labour-led council said the centre would be a "significant investment" and would "boost footfall" in Thornaby.

The ground floor will have a five-lane pool with sauna, steam room and changing rooms, along with a lobby and reception area, while the first floor will have two gym studios, a bowls social area and two receptions.

The facility will form part of a "refurbished and remodelled" Thornaby Pavilion under Stockton Council's plans for the site which is currently vacant, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It will also include new parking spaces for 47 vehicles, 30 bikes and coach drop-off areas, and new access via Trenchard Avenue.

It was described in planning documents as a "state-of-the-art facility built for the future", employing 12 members of staff.

It is part of efforts to transform the town centre with £23.9m of government money through the Thornaby Town Deal.

Planning services manager Simon Grundy said: "The proposal is considered to offer an enhancement to the existing leisure facility, as well as arguably the district centre as a whole.

"It will be a significant investment into Thornaby town centre, as well as being likely to attract additional visitors, boosting footfall to the town centre."

Work was expected to begin in 2025, with the facility set to open in 2026.

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