Building work starts at new Thornaby leisure centre

The two-storey Thornaby facility, which will include a five-lane swimming pool, gym, and sauna, forms part of the £23.9 million Thornaby Town Deal, set to bring long-term change and investment to the town.

Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at StocktonCouncil, said: “A new leisure centre in Thornaby Town Centre will not only provide state-of-the-art sports facilities on people’s doorsteps, it will also bring footfall and add vibrancy to the town centre.

“With this addition and the removal of the Golden Eagle, we’re bringing life to a site that has been vacant for a number of years, a key priority for the Town Deal Board.

“The improvements to Thornaby’s cycle network will also help connect the town centre with other key assets in the area, making it easier to commute, get around and support healthier lifestyles.”

The centre will be connected to the existing Thornaby Pavilion by a first-floor link bridge and will include a new entrance and car park with 46 additional spaces.

Improvements will also be made to the internal layout and fitness areas of the current pavilion.

The swimming pool, to be operated by Tees Active, will expand learn-to-swim opportunities and support school swimming partnerships.

The centre is being built on the former Phoenix House site, which was purchased and demolished using Town Deal funding after standing vacant for several years.

Additional funding for the project has been provided by Stockton Council and Sport England.

The centre is expected to open in summer 2027, with construction set to take around a year.

Work to demolish the nearby Golden Eagle building, including asbestos removal, is also underway and will continue over the coming months.

Meanwhile, a connected network of new and improved cycle routes across Thornaby is set to be built.

The project will enhance access to the town centre and link with existing cycling infrastructure to the north and south.

Cycle route improvements will include Redcar Road (Humber Road to Baysdale Road), Millbank Lane (Fullerton Way to Trenchard Avenue), Mitchell Avenue (Trenchard Avenue to Chadderton Drive), Thornaby Road (A174 to Kintyre Drive), and Trenchard Avenue (Mitchell Avenue to Thornaby Road).

A segment covering Allison Trainer Park, east of Clarendon Road and west of Baysdale Road, is still subject to planning approval.

The cycle network will feature segregated lanes, shared walking and cycling paths, on-road routes, safer crossings, and additional signage.

All elements of the project are being delivered with the support of the Thornaby Town Deal Board, which includes local councillors and MPs.

Mark White CBE DL, chair of the Thornaby Town Deal Board, said: “Thornaby’s new leisure centre is an exciting project for the Town Deal Board and one we were very passionate about bringing forward.

“The benefits of an improved cycle network are also significant as it better connects the area with employment sites and helps to support sustainable and active travel.

“When these projects are complete, they will be amazing assets for Thornaby, and I am looking forward to seeing the work progress.”