Waterfront: 'Highlight' - Hartlepool's New Active Wellbeing Hub

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The existing Mill House Leisure Centre has reached the end of its effective life and is in need of replacement. This presented the opportunity for a new active wellbeing hub ‘Highlight’ to be more strategically located to become a must-visit destination and a community venue offering a range of opportunities and activities. Highlight will be surrounded by informal outdoor event and activity spaces to support walking, cycling, running, outdoor fitness, with connections for water-sports, utilising Hartlepool Marina.

Designed by GT3 Architects, Highlight’s strong linear lines are inspired by the railway tracks which ran from local timber and coal yards into the former dockland site during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The building will grow in height from west to east and offer incredible views of the wider waterfront site, marina and sea.

The mix of facilities within the new active wellbeing hub will include:

• A 25m 8-lane main pool

• A 25m 4-lane learner pool with movable floor

• A leisure pool including race slide and water play features, spectator seating

• A 100-station gym

• Two inter-connected fitness studios

• An indoor cycling/”spinning” studio

• Active and soft play areas

• A party room

• A café

• An NHS consultation suite

• External ground and first-floor terraces



Project Progress update

Work has now started on site, led by the appointed principal contractor Wates Group Ltd and will progress at pace through 2024 and 2025.




The existing Mill House Leisure Centre has reached the end of its effective life and is in need of replacement. This presented the opportunity for a new active wellbeing hub ‘Highlight’ to be more strategically located to become a must-visit destination and a community venue offering a range of opportunities and activities. Highlight will be surrounded by informal outdoor event and activity spaces to support walking, cycling, running, outdoor fitness, with connections for water-sports, utilising Hartlepool Marina.

Designed by GT3 Architects, Highlight’s strong linear lines are inspired by the railway tracks which ran from local timber and coal yards into the former dockland site during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The building will grow in height from west to east and offer incredible views of the wider waterfront site, marina and sea.

The mix of facilities within the new active wellbeing hub will include:

• A 25m 8-lane main pool

• A 25m 4-lane learner pool with movable floor

• A leisure pool including race slide and water play features, spectator seating

• A 100-station gym

• Two inter-connected fitness studios

• An indoor cycling/”spinning” studio

• Active and soft play areas

• A party room

• A café

• An NHS consultation suite

• External ground and first-floor terraces



Project Progress update

Work has now started on site, led by the appointed principal contractor Wates Group Ltd and will progress at pace through 2024 and 2025.




Questions?

Please feel free to ask any questions with regards to this project.

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  • Share I understand upon the opening of The Highlight, Mill House Leisure Centre will close. There is no mention of a Squash Court being part of the facilities. Is this correct? Will the town be left without any Squash Courts? on Facebook Share I understand upon the opening of The Highlight, Mill House Leisure Centre will close. There is no mention of a Squash Court being part of the facilities. Is this correct? Will the town be left without any Squash Courts? on Twitter Share I understand upon the opening of The Highlight, Mill House Leisure Centre will close. There is no mention of a Squash Court being part of the facilities. Is this correct? Will the town be left without any Squash Courts? on Linkedin Email I understand upon the opening of The Highlight, Mill House Leisure Centre will close. There is no mention of a Squash Court being part of the facilities. Is this correct? Will the town be left without any Squash Courts? link

    I understand upon the opening of The Highlight, Mill House Leisure Centre will close. There is no mention of a Squash Court being part of the facilities. Is this correct? Will the town be left without any Squash Courts?

    Neil Baines asked 20 days ago

     

    Thank you for your question Neil.  Details of the facilities that will be available have been provided to earlier questions.
  • Share I think it’s disgusting that all this money is being spent to build a new state of the art building and it’s potentially going to provide less features/spaces. Looking through the comments I can see a lot of people are crying out for squash (and other court sports), sauna and steam rooms. From the comments posted, there are no other steam rooms or squash courts in Hartlepool, yet your responses state that your research shows there is enough provision in the area. Which is it? If there are enough steam rooms and squash courts (for example) in the are, can you give me the address of the closest ones please. Further to this, when you review the current demand for indoor sports activities, how are you going to do this? Will we, the public, have a chance to have our say? on Facebook Share I think it’s disgusting that all this money is being spent to build a new state of the art building and it’s potentially going to provide less features/spaces. Looking through the comments I can see a lot of people are crying out for squash (and other court sports), sauna and steam rooms. From the comments posted, there are no other steam rooms or squash courts in Hartlepool, yet your responses state that your research shows there is enough provision in the area. Which is it? If there are enough steam rooms and squash courts (for example) in the are, can you give me the address of the closest ones please. Further to this, when you review the current demand for indoor sports activities, how are you going to do this? Will we, the public, have a chance to have our say? on Twitter Share I think it’s disgusting that all this money is being spent to build a new state of the art building and it’s potentially going to provide less features/spaces. Looking through the comments I can see a lot of people are crying out for squash (and other court sports), sauna and steam rooms. From the comments posted, there are no other steam rooms or squash courts in Hartlepool, yet your responses state that your research shows there is enough provision in the area. Which is it? If there are enough steam rooms and squash courts (for example) in the are, can you give me the address of the closest ones please. Further to this, when you review the current demand for indoor sports activities, how are you going to do this? Will we, the public, have a chance to have our say? on Linkedin Email I think it’s disgusting that all this money is being spent to build a new state of the art building and it’s potentially going to provide less features/spaces. Looking through the comments I can see a lot of people are crying out for squash (and other court sports), sauna and steam rooms. From the comments posted, there are no other steam rooms or squash courts in Hartlepool, yet your responses state that your research shows there is enough provision in the area. Which is it? If there are enough steam rooms and squash courts (for example) in the are, can you give me the address of the closest ones please. Further to this, when you review the current demand for indoor sports activities, how are you going to do this? Will we, the public, have a chance to have our say? link

    I think it’s disgusting that all this money is being spent to build a new state of the art building and it’s potentially going to provide less features/spaces. Looking through the comments I can see a lot of people are crying out for squash (and other court sports), sauna and steam rooms. From the comments posted, there are no other steam rooms or squash courts in Hartlepool, yet your responses state that your research shows there is enough provision in the area. Which is it? If there are enough steam rooms and squash courts (for example) in the are, can you give me the address of the closest ones please. Further to this, when you review the current demand for indoor sports activities, how are you going to do this? Will we, the public, have a chance to have our say?

    G.I asked 3 months ago

    The Council has previously provided detailed responses in relation to the robust, strategic rationale for facilities at Highlight, which included significant consultation with the public in 2021/2. The Council is also committed to refreshing its Indoor Facilities Facility & Playing Pitch Strategy, which is to be completed in spring 2025. Further updates on progress of Highlight and the strategy development will be provided here.

  • Share Hi there, will there be any other facilities added to the list that's already been posted? Such as squash courts, football/basketball and badminton courts, sauna/steam room like millhouse originally had? on Facebook Share Hi there, will there be any other facilities added to the list that's already been posted? Such as squash courts, football/basketball and badminton courts, sauna/steam room like millhouse originally had? on Twitter Share Hi there, will there be any other facilities added to the list that's already been posted? Such as squash courts, football/basketball and badminton courts, sauna/steam room like millhouse originally had? on Linkedin Email Hi there, will there be any other facilities added to the list that's already been posted? Such as squash courts, football/basketball and badminton courts, sauna/steam room like millhouse originally had? link

    Hi there, will there be any other facilities added to the list that's already been posted? Such as squash courts, football/basketball and badminton courts, sauna/steam room like millhouse originally had?

    James Oliver Hudson asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your question James Oliver Hudson.   The YourSay page for this project contains all of the latest updates on the development of the project.

  • Share Could you tell me if there will be disabled access to the swimming pool via a ramp or portable steps as in Mill House at the moment? on Facebook Share Could you tell me if there will be disabled access to the swimming pool via a ramp or portable steps as in Mill House at the moment? on Twitter Share Could you tell me if there will be disabled access to the swimming pool via a ramp or portable steps as in Mill House at the moment? on Linkedin Email Could you tell me if there will be disabled access to the swimming pool via a ramp or portable steps as in Mill House at the moment? link

    Could you tell me if there will be disabled access to the swimming pool via a ramp or portable steps as in Mill House at the moment?

    Lynda asked 3 months ago

     

    Thank you for your email.  Highlight will be fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments, with provision made through: provision of dedicated disabled car parking spaces; external level or ramped access into the building; provision of disabled toilets; provision of disabled changing cubicles; lift access to the first floor facilities; provision of specialist, accessible gym equipment; the provision of “pool pods” - state of the art hoists - to enable wheelchair users to independently access the 25m x 8 lane and 25m x 4 lane pools. The 25 x 4 lane pool will also have a moveable floor, to further improve access for people with mobility impairments.
  • Share Please can you confirm will there be full disability access including a hoist for those of us who cannot walk to get in and out of the pool on Facebook Share Please can you confirm will there be full disability access including a hoist for those of us who cannot walk to get in and out of the pool on Twitter Share Please can you confirm will there be full disability access including a hoist for those of us who cannot walk to get in and out of the pool on Linkedin Email Please can you confirm will there be full disability access including a hoist for those of us who cannot walk to get in and out of the pool link

    Please can you confirm will there be full disability access including a hoist for those of us who cannot walk to get in and out of the pool

    Michelle asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your email.  Highlight will be fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments, with provision made through: provision of dedicated disabled car parking spaces; external level or ramped access into the building; provision of disabled toilets; provision of disabled changing cubicles; lift access to the first floor facilities; provision of specialist, accessible gym equipment; the provision of “pool pods” - state of the art hoists - to enable wheelchair users to independently access the 25m x 8 lane and 25m x 4 lane pools. The 25 x 4 lane pool will also have a moveable floor, to further improve access for people with mobility impairments.

  • Share Will it have any sports courts like Millhouse did eg badminton squash basketball etc? If not why not? on Facebook Share Will it have any sports courts like Millhouse did eg badminton squash basketball etc? If not why not? on Twitter Share Will it have any sports courts like Millhouse did eg badminton squash basketball etc? If not why not? on Linkedin Email Will it have any sports courts like Millhouse did eg badminton squash basketball etc? If not why not? link

    Will it have any sports courts like Millhouse did eg badminton squash basketball etc? If not why not?

    Don't have one asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question.  Following completion of a strategic Indoor Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategy in 2019, as set out by Sport England, Hartlepool was considered to have sufficient sports hall space to meet current demand across the town. We are renewing the strategy later in 2024 and will once again will be exploring the need and demand for indoor sports hall/squash court provision.

  • Share What equipment brand will the new gym be using ? on Facebook Share What equipment brand will the new gym be using ? on Twitter Share What equipment brand will the new gym be using ? on Linkedin Email What equipment brand will the new gym be using ? link

    What equipment brand will the new gym be using ?

    Jamie asked 3 months ago

     

    Thank you for your question.  The brand of equipment that will be installed at Highlight and at Brierton Sports Centre and Headland Sportshall is yet to be determined. The Council are progressing through a competitive tender process.
  • Share This leisure centre looks great, but can we not get a steam room? Millhouse is the only steam room in Hartlepool, private or public, and seems a shame that the health benefits of steam room cannot be in the new state of the art building, once mill house closes we won’t have any local steam room facilities on Facebook Share This leisure centre looks great, but can we not get a steam room? Millhouse is the only steam room in Hartlepool, private or public, and seems a shame that the health benefits of steam room cannot be in the new state of the art building, once mill house closes we won’t have any local steam room facilities on Twitter Share This leisure centre looks great, but can we not get a steam room? Millhouse is the only steam room in Hartlepool, private or public, and seems a shame that the health benefits of steam room cannot be in the new state of the art building, once mill house closes we won’t have any local steam room facilities on Linkedin Email This leisure centre looks great, but can we not get a steam room? Millhouse is the only steam room in Hartlepool, private or public, and seems a shame that the health benefits of steam room cannot be in the new state of the art building, once mill house closes we won’t have any local steam room facilities link

    This leisure centre looks great, but can we not get a steam room? Millhouse is the only steam room in Hartlepool, private or public, and seems a shame that the health benefits of steam room cannot be in the new state of the art building, once mill house closes we won’t have any local steam room facilities

    Danny oram asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for your question.  During a rigorous evaluation process of the facility mix required and set against operational costs and predicted income, the decision  was taken not to include steam room or sauna’. The construction of the facility is at such a stage now, with an agreed level of capital investment, that there is no opportunity to incorporate a sauna/steamroom.


  • Share Is it true there is going to be an ice skating rink? on Facebook Share Is it true there is going to be an ice skating rink? on Twitter Share Is it true there is going to be an ice skating rink? on Linkedin Email Is it true there is going to be an ice skating rink? link

    Is it true there is going to be an ice skating rink?

    Unknown asked 3 months ago

     

    Thankyou for your question.  The development at Highlight will not include an ice skating rink. The specialist nature of such facilities and the proximity of facilities in Billingham resulted in this type of facility being discounted very early in the process of developing new facilities in Hartlepool”
  • Share Is the new gym getting a Sauna and steam room? on Facebook Share Is the new gym getting a Sauna and steam room? on Twitter Share Is the new gym getting a Sauna and steam room? on Linkedin Email Is the new gym getting a Sauna and steam room? link

    Is the new gym getting a Sauna and steam room?

    Soniaaa77 asked 5 months ago

    Thank you for your interest, and a response has already been provided to earlier questions on this aspect.

Page last updated: 22 Jul 2024, 05:02 PM