Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub Opens
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Highlight, Hartlepool’s brand new multi-million pound Active Wellbeing Hub, officially opened its doors to the public on 22nd June 2026. Located on the iconic Hartlepool Marina (at the former Jacksons Landing site), the £35+ million facility has replaced the ageing Mill House Leisure Centre.
Ustigate was delighted to work with Hartlepool Borough Council and Wates Group on the new Highlight Leisure Centre on Hartlepool’s seafront.
Designed by GT3 Architects, Highlight’s strong linear lines are inspired by the railway tracks which ran from local timber and coal yards into the former dockland site during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The building grows in height from west to east and offers incredible views of the wider waterfront site, marina and sea.
The new multi-million-pound facility is a key part of Hartlepool’s waterfront regeneration, funded by Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Sport England. The facility features three pools, including a 25m main pool, a leisure pool and a learning pool with a movable floor, a 100-station gym, fitness studios, café and NHS consultation rooms linking health with physical activity.
Ustigate’s contribution to the Highlight Leisure Centre included the installation of a wiegand.waterrides GRP Multilane Tumblewave waterslide with three lanes enabling a trio of races, and an Elevations™ and interactive aquatic play features from Vortex Aquatic Structures International Inc. The Elevations™ has multiple activities and experiences that include climbing, sliding, an award-winning Twinsplash with a large tipping bucket, two smaller tipping buckets, hose sprayers, deck geysers, pipe falls, a self-spinning water flower and three cascade basins; all designed to entertain 109 users at every given time. To accompany the Elevations™ children are amused by a Bobble No.1, Helio No.3 and Luna No.3 from award-winning Explora, a Flower No.3 with its Seeflow™ dome, a Cascade Loop inviting all to enjoy flow play, and nine Pool Bubblers.
Highlight is one of Hartlepool’s most exciting destinations for health, fitness, and community activity. The brand‑new facility has been designed as a modern, accessible, and inspiring space that truly puts people first, surrounded by informal outdoor event and activity spaces to support walking, cycling, running, outdoor fitness, with connections water-sports at Hartlepool Marina too. Highlight is more than a leisure centre, it’s an active wellbeing hub for everyone.
https://www.activehartlepool.co.uk/highlight-active-wellbeing-hub
