Major Investment Approved for Whitby and Pickering Leisure Centres

North Yorkshire Council has granted approval in principle for substantial investment in leisure facilities across the region, identifying Whitby Leisure Centre and Ryedale Swim and Fitness (Pickering) as key sites set to be transformed into Active Well Being Hubs.

The approval is part of a Leisure Investment Strategy which seeks to upgrade four priority sites, potentially requiring a total budget provision of approximately £36 million.

The investment plan is linked to the Council’s new Active North Yorkshire (ANY) service model, which places a strong emphasis on health, well-being, and ensuring physical activity is accessible to all residents.

Councillor Simon Myers, Executive Member for Leisure, highlighted the importance of backing the council’s vision with firm capital, stating:

“I'm hugely proud of of what is being achieved by our active North Yorkshire centres.

To see our leisure centres transformed into a means for achieving better outcomes for all our residents with a focus where we can on those areas where there are real health inequalities which exist in North Yorkshire.

To see the commitment in terms of financial investment from the council is something I'm really proud of because it's very easy to have nice words but to back them with cash is hugely welcome.”

Focus on Whitby

The proposed works for Whitby Leisure Centre carry an estimated cost of approximately £9.7 million. Reports indicate the existing facility is in very poor condition, described as tired and dated, and currently suffers from insufficient health and fitness space. Despite its condition, the centre performs well, particularly given the lack of local competition in the area.

The ambitious plans for Whitby include a full refurbishment and reconfiguration of the wet change areas into a village change facility, the installation of Changing Places, and a significant expansion of the gym to a 100-station movement space (up from c. 45 station). Other proposals involve the refurbishment of the pool hall, the introduction of sensory lighting in the teaching pool, and the replacement of the existing 2G 5-a-side MUGA with two covered and floodlit Padel courts.

The investment proposals were commended by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee at their meeting on 19 September 2025.

Whitby Councillor Neil Swannick welcomed the plans, focusing on the centre’s importance to the local community and coastal safety:

“I would like to welcome the investment in Whitby Leisure Centre.

It is used by the whole of the town and the town has a lot of children learning to swim.

If they if you live near the coast and you get involved in things to do with the sea, then it's really important that you know how to swim.”

Financially, the investment in Whitby is expected to result in a meaningful improvement over 25 years. Taking into account capital repayments and operational costs, the centre is projected to reduce its required annual deficit by £164k compared to the ‘do minimum’ scenario. The proposals also incorporate decarbonisation initiatives, such as PV panels, which are expected to yield an energy saving of 188,743kwh per annum.

Investment in Pickering

Ryedale Swim and Fitness (Pickering) is designated for an estimated investment of approximately £10.2 million for core and enhanced elements of the work. The facility currently requires improvement and operates with a semi-permanent gym structure that is too small to meet demand.

Proposed enhanced works include a full refurbishment of the wet change facilities, the installation of Changing Places, and the expansion of the gym from a 28-station semi-permanent structure to a 75-station movement space. The development will also include two studios and two consultation rooms. The council notes that investment here would consolidate dry side activities and classes onto one site.

Though the investment delivers significant revenue improvements, the high-level investment case for the enhanced Active Well Being (AWB) improvements is expected to result in an additional annual cost to the Council of approximately £165k over the 25-year period compared to the 'do minimum' case. However, the report highlights that retaining the facility without investment is not a realistic long-term option given the semi-permanent construction of the gym building. Overall, investment in the Pickering site is deemed to deliver better value than alternative options considered for the area.

Councillor Myers acknowledged the urgent need for improvements in the area:

“I know Whitby has been crying out for investment to do it in Whitby, in Ryedale, in Pickering, which quite frankly has some of the least good facilities in the North Yorkshire family. I think of great commitments by this council.”

The comprehensive upgrades at both sites are intended to increase capacity to deliver services, introduce a wider range of programmes (including Padel tennis in Whitby), and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities and complex needs through measures like pool pods and Changing Places facilities. Final approval for the sites is delegated and subject to further detailed work on costs, designs, and business planning.