Flagship Highlight Centre Set for Spring 2026 Opening After Construction Delays...
- teessidetoday
- Dec 2
- 4 min read
Timeline Slips: Why the £34.6m Highlight Hub Won’t Open Until Spring 2026...
2nd December 2025
Hartlepool Borough Council has confirmed significant updates on the long-awaited opening of the town’s £34.6 Million Pound flagship Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub – widely known to residents as Highlight Leisure Centre. According to the council’s Housing, Growth & Communities Committee papers which are set to go before councillors on the 9 December 2025, the centre’s opening timetable has shifted, with the initial expectation of a winter 2025 launch now pushed back several months.
Opening Now Scheduled for Spring 2026
The council’s report states that construction of the new facility is in its final phase, with handover from contractor Wates Group Ltd expected “in spring 2026” . This handover is the final step before the council begins an intensive eight-week transition, installation and commissioning period needed to make the site fully operational.
The documentation seen by The Teesside & Durham Post confirms a revised public opening timeline, stating clearly:
“There are a number of key milestones to open Highlight Active Well Being Hub including … opening the doors to the public in Spring 2026.”
This confirms that an opening in winter 2025 is now no longer achievable, with the council citing the need to complete final construction elements and ensure all operating systems and equipment are fully tested.
Official Dignitary Launch Planned for Summer 2026
In addition to the public opening date, the report outlines a second milestone: a formal high-profile launch ceremony. The council states:
“…and a formal dignitary opening in Summer 2026.”
This indicates that even once the centre opens to the public in spring, the council intends to hold an official ribbon-cutting or high-level event several months later, likely timed for maximum political and public visibility.
Background: A Major Capital Scheme Facing Construction Complexities
Construction of the Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub has been underway since January 2024, following planning approvals and the appointment of Wates Construction Group as the principal contractor. The committee report describes the scheme as “the largest capital project the Council has delivered” and acknowledges that timeline changes remain possible because the project “remains a live build” & subject to unforeseen issues.
The report lists wide-ranging construction progress throughout 2024–25, including steelwork erection, formation of pool tanks, installation of equipment, external cladding, glazing and the development of the surrounding public realm and car park. In the final months leading to the revised spring 2026 handover, focus remains on internal finishes, pool tiling, signage, ICT systems, and installation of soft play, water play and fitness equipment.
Why the Opening Has Been Delayed
While the council does not explicitly label the change as a delay, the published timeline makes it clear that the project has shifted from its initial goal of opening in late 2025.
The reasons are implied throughout the documentation:
• Completion of “final elements of work on site” still pending, meaning no fixed handover date has yet been agreed with the contractor
• The requirement for an intensive eight-week commissioning and operationalisation process after handover, including staff training, live testing events, customer journey trials and partner integration (including NHS clinics and leisure operators)
• Acknowledgement of ongoing risks due to the size and complexity of the project, with the report stating timelines are “subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the councils control”
What Residents Can Expect When Highlight Opens
Although the opening is later than hoped, the leisure centre promises a major upgrade in local health and wellbeing facilities from the current facilities being delivered by the current Mill House Leisure centre. The council highlights a wide range of new features, including:
25m eight-lane main swimming pool•
25m learner pool with movable floor•
Leisure water-play area with race slide•
State-of-the-art immersive spinning studio•
Soft play area for children including those with neurodiverse needs•
New café with outdoor terrace•
Water-based outdoor activity access via the marina, including paddleboarding and open-water swimming...
The facility is also designed for NHS-linked health services, expanded fitness programmes, and inter-generational activity offerings.
Transition from Mill House Leisure Centre
Mill House Leisure Centre is expected to close once Highlight becomes operational. While an official closure date has not yet been finalised, council papers note that demolition discussions are said to be 'ongoing' with The Hartlepool Development Corporation.
The revised timeline marks a notable shift in one of Hartlepool’s largest public infrastructure projects. Instead of opening in winter 2025, Highlight Leisure Centre is now expected to welcome its first users in spring 2026, with a formal dignitary opening in the summer. While delays are disappointing for residents eager to access the new facilities, the council’s documentation suggests the priority is ensuring the building is fully commissioned, safe, and ready for public use before opening its doors.
