Councillors to discuss £36m leisure centre investment in North Yorkshire
Plans include new fitness facilities, accessibility improvements, and critical repairs at Richmond site following ceiling collapse.
North Yorkshire councillors are today debating a landmark £40 million investment strategy aimed at revitalising leisure and wellbeing centres across the county.
The proposal – under scrutiny at today’s Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting – outlines a major £36 million transformation of four key sites in Selby, Skipton, Pickering, and Whitby, all set to benefit from significant upgrades to gym, swimming, and studio facilities.
The plans fall under the council’s Active North Yorkshire programme, introduced last year to increase access to physical activity and wellbeing services for residents of all ages.
Under the proposals, each of the four sites would see enhanced gym spaces, new studio areas, refurbished swimming pools, upgraded changing rooms, and improved reception and public spaces. Accessibility will also be prioritised, with Changing Places facilities and improved pool access for people with additional needs included in the plans.
Pickering and Whitby centres, currently managed by Everyone Active, are scheduled to come under Active North Yorkshire’s management in 2027.
In addition to the major site upgrades, a further £3 million is being proposed for a phased programme to replace and improve gym and fitness equipment at 12 other council-run leisure centres across the county.
Councillors Weigh Up Community Impact and Financial Viability
Today's meeting provides councillors with an opportunity to examine the scope, scale, and sustainability of the leisure investment strategy, as well as consider feedback from communities who rely on these facilities.
Cllr Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture, arts and housing, told the committee:
“We are committed to ensuring that every resident in North Yorkshire has the opportunity to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
This proposed investment is a clear signal of that commitment. It would allow us to improve the quality and accessibility of our leisure centres and bring them up to modern standards – while also making them financially sustainable for the future.”
Feedback gathered during today’s meeting will help shape a final report that is due to be presented to the council’s executive in November, where a decision on the proposals will be made.
Spotlight on Richmond: Pools Could Reopen in 2026 After Ceiling Collapse
A key focus of today's discussion is the future of the Active North Yorkshire Richmond site, where both swimming pools have remained closed since a partial ceiling collapse in April.
As part of the wider strategy, councillors are considering an allocation of over £1 million for essential repair works to allow the pools to reopen next year.
A public consultation held in June drew 2,283 responses, with strong support for reopening the pools – 74% of respondents said it was “very important” the facility returned, and 58% stated they used the pools at least once a week.
Cllr Myers acknowledged the strength of public feeling:
“The message from the community is clear – people value the Richmond leisure centre, and they want to see it fully reopened.
We’ve listened carefully to that feedback, and today we’re considering how to best move forward, not only to repair the pools but to maintain Richmond as a vital hub for health and wellbeing in the area.”
While the pools remain closed, the gym and café at the Richmond site continue to operate.