Esther Imomion
North Yorkshire Council has announced a £40m investment to transform leisure centres across the county.
The plans, to be discussed by the housing and leisure overview and scrutiny committee on 23 September 2025, include major upgrades to swimming pools, changing rooms, and gym facilities.
Four centres in Pickering, Selby, Skipton and Whitby would share £36m to become health and wellbeing hubs, featuring improved pool accessibility, refurbished public areas and extra studio space. A further £3m would be used to update gym and fitness equipment across 12 leisure sites.
Richmond Swimming Pool, which was forced to close in April after part of its ceiling collapsed, is set to receive £1.1m to reopen next year. The work would involve replacing the ceiling and upgrading the plant room. More than 3,000 people had signed a petition earlier this year calling for the pool to be saved.
Councillor Simon Myers, executive member for culture, leisure and housing, said the proposed scheme under the new Active North Yorkshire banner was a “massive statement” of the council’s commitment to promoting physical and mental wellbeing.
Final approval will be sought from the council’s executive committee later this year.