Harrogate Leisure Centre reopens following multi-million pound investment

The Harrogate Hydro reopened its doors this week having been transformed into the Harrogate Leisure and Wellbeing Centre, thanks to a £13.5 million major refurbishment by North Yorkshire Council. The facility is operated by Brimhams Active.

The project has been delivered by Alliance Leisure, working with ISG Construction, Axiom Project Services and GT3 architects through the UK Leisure Framework, managed by Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL).

New facilities include a new 400sqm fitness suite, a Les Mills immersive cycle studio, a sauna and steam suite, plus a reconfigured reception and café.

Works have also included extending the building’s footprint and substantial reimagining throughout to create a bright, modern offering more in keeping with the needs of today’s vibrant and diverse community.

Existing pool and leisure facilities have been completely overhauled. In the pool, a new diving structure has been installed so the centre can continue to support up and coming diving talent in the way that it has done for Olympians, such as Jack Laugher MBE and Oliver Dingley.

Outside, the building has been remodelled to complement the surrounding environment with landscaping, a reconfigured car park, bicycle storage and electric vehicle charging points.

The re-opening of the new and improved Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre will ensure that continues to be the case. It is also pleasing that energy-efficiency has been at the heart of the project, in line with our climate pledges, and this will serve as an example for other facilities across the county.

Councillor Simon Myers

Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, North Yorkshire Council

Investment in the old Hydro has transformed the facility and future proofed leisure provision for many years to come. In addition to the visible improvements, there is so much that has gone on behind the scenes to make this centre more energy efficient. Air source heat pumps have replaced existing gas boilers and 250 solar panels have been installed along with new energy monitoring and control systems. These measures are expected to half the carbon footprint of the leisure centre. This is great news for the council’s net zero targets, great news for residents and ultimately, great news for the planet.