Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has appointed Galliford Try to deliver a £14m two-storey leisure extension to Thornaby Pavilion, procured via the Procure Partnerships North East Framework, and supported by Sport England and the Government’s Towns Fund.
Project Background: Regenerating Thornaby Through Strategic Leisure Investment
The existing Pavilion leisure centre, operated by Tees Active Ltd on behalf of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC), had served the community for years, but ageing infrastructure and limited facilities had left it falling short of what residents needed.
When SBC identified the opportunity to redevelop the adjacent vacant Phoenix House site, the goal was to not just transform a building, but the health, wellbeing, and daily lives of people across the borough.
The project forms a cornerstone of Thornaby’s wider town centre regeneration, supported by the Government’s Towns Fund and Sport England, a recognition that investment in community leisure is an investment in the community itself.
SBC progressed the scheme to RIBA Stage 3 with its design team, Ryder Architecture, BGP, and Desco, secured planning permission, and completed demolition of Phoenix House before appointing Galliford Try through a competitive two-stage tender via the Procure Partnerships Framework.
What This Development Will Deliver
The scheme comprises a new two-storey extension built directly adjacent to the existing Pavilion, together with a programme of internal refurbishment and remodelling throughout the existing building. This will include:
- A new swimming pool, steam and sauna suite, and modern gym
- Upgraded changing facilities and associated accommodation
- A welcoming new building entrance with improved car parking and cycle storage
- Enhanced landscaping and a direct pedestrian link to the town centre shopping precinct
- A new first-floor link bridge connecting the extension seamlessly to the existing Pavilion
- Internal remodelling throughout the existing Pavilion to accommodate the new link and modernise the facility
Built to Last: Engineering for a 60-Year Design Life
This project balances the requirements of a public sports and leisure facility with the vision of creating a lasting resource for Thornaby, designed to serve for generations, not just years.
Sub-Structure: Traditional pad and strip foundations are employed, with mass-fill concrete used wherever feasible to reduce programme and cost. All pool-related structures, including tanks, balance tanks, and plant pits, are designed as fully watertight elements in accordance with BS EN 1992-3 and CIRIA C766, incorporating water-retaining concrete and an integrated waterproofing system as dual-defence protection.
Super-Structure: A galvanised hot-rolled steel frame was selected for long-term resilience in the corrosive pool environment. Precast concrete planks deliver efficient spans and rapid installation at first-floor level. The structural grid was optimised to minimise transfers and maximise buildability, with lateral stability provided through strategically located braced bays.
A New Chapter for Thornaby
This appointment marks a significant milestone, both for the regeneration of Thornaby town centre and for the thousands of residents who will one day use this facility. With planning secured, a complex pre-construction phase successfully completed, and a collaborative project team aligned around a shared vision, the foundations are in place for a sports and leisure destination that Thornaby can be proud of.
Jess Jones, Key Account Manager (North), Procure Partnerships Framework:
“It’s fantastic to see Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council appoint Galliford Try through the Procure Partnerships Framework for such a meaningful project. A new swimming pool and leisure facility will make a real difference to the Thornaby community. We’re delighted that our framework provided a straightforward, compliant route to securing the right contractor for the job”
