Zest Leisure

It includes creating a 24 hour gym and enlarged studios for exercise classes and cycling stations – as well as replacing outdated plant equipment that has forced the centre’s pools to close several times this year.

Members of Hambleton District Council’s Cabinet are recommending to Full Council that cash is released for the scheme which will bring the 30 year old centre bang up to date.

Built in 1991 the Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre also needs a new roof to address much needed repairs and condensation issues experienced within the building. Old plant machinery also needs replacing – with greener, more environmentally sustainable equipment.

“Gyms, indoor spaces and swimming pools play an essential part in helping people to achieve a healthy lifestyle and a recent report showed that Hambleton district needed to extend its leisure provision,” said Cabinet Member for Leisure, Councillor Bridget Fortune.

“We have already begun to address that need through the changes and expansion made at Northallerton Leisure Centre and these plans at Thirsk will go a long way to improving provision in the south of our district.

“Hambleton District Council has long been committed to providing high quality leisure venues and our strategy is to continue to invest in these facilities. Bringing Thirsk up to date is an important part of that plan. We’ve already made improvements to Stokesley Leisure Centre, with more on the way and we have aspirations for Bedale too.” The final touches are also being made to a sports hall and 3G pitch at Easingwold school that received £650,000 support from the council.

In addition to the planned changes with the plant and roof at Thirsk, the project will include a 60 station 24/7 gym, 30 person studio and a 25 person cycling studio. It is expected that the work will take around 26 weeks to complete and will be undertaken through a partnership with Alliance Leisure Services, which undertook the project work at Northallerton.