Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub in Hartlepool to open in June

The Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub, part of Hartlepool Borough Council’s £160million regeneration programme, will open its doors on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, marking a major step forward for the town’s leisure and wellbeing facilities.

Work on the Highlight hub began in early 2024.

Located on The Waterfront, by the marina, the hub is the first completed project under the council’s £160 million capital regeneration programme, which aims to reshape and revitalise key parts of the town.

Pamela Hargreaves, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Highlight is a major investment in the future health and wellbeing of our community.”

She said the new facility represents “the very best of what we set out to achieve through our regeneration programme – modern, high-quality facilities that will benefit residents of all ages for many years to come”.

She added: “We know how important accessible, welcoming and modern leisure facilities are to our residents.

“Highlight delivers exactly that and we are incredibly excited to be about to open the doors and share everything this fantastic building has to offer.”

The new hub replaces the ageing Mill House Leisure Centre, which first opened in 1972 and has served the community for more than 50 years.

Mill House will close its doors for the final time at 8.45pm on Thursday, April 30.

The council said the closure allows staff to transfer to the new hub and complete essential training and commissioning work ahead of the June opening.

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The council apologised for any inconvenience during the transition period and thanked customers for their continued support and patience.

During the interim, the council has extended opening hours at Headland Sports Centre to help maintain access to leisure services.

From May 2, the centre is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 9pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 3pm.