Latest key milestone starts at Highlight

The major new milestone reflects the excellent progress currently being made on the flagship development at The Waterfront by lead contractor Wates.

Over coming weeks, thousands of tiles will be applied to walls and floors throughout the building, including in the three swimming pools and the changing rooms, in what is said to be currently the North-East’s biggest tiling project.

Councillor Brenda Harrison, the Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, and Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of the Council’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee, marked the start of work by signing the back of the first tiles before fixing them in place on the wall of the main pool.

Councillor Harrison said: “Every time I visit Highlight the progress made on construction is nothing short of amazing. You can now get a real sense of how the building will look when it is finished, and it is going to be fantastic.

“The start of work on the tiling is just the latest in a long list of construction milestones, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work of lead contractor Wates and their many sub-contractors in turning our dream into reality.”

Councillor Allen said: “I’m delighted to have been given the chance to sign one of the first tiles to be fixed in place, it is a real honour.

“Highlight, with its wide range of facilities, is a tremendous development for the Borough of Hartlepool and it is hard to believe that in only a matter of months we will be welcoming people through the doors.”

David Wingfield, Managing Director for Construction East: “Tiling the Highlight pools may sound straightforward, but it involves laying every single one of nearly 62,000 tiles perfectly to ensure watertightness. It’s the latest in a long line of technically complex features we’ve delivered as part of this ambitious build.

“As we get closer to our handover date, we’re focused on both finalising this landmark site for Hartlepool and ensuring as many local people play a role in shaping its creation. I sincerely thank all of our local apprentices, supply chain partners and delivery teams for contributing to the success of the project so far as we look forward to its next milestone.”

Highlight is being funded by Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Sport England.

Practical completion of the building is scheduled for the end of this year, followed by a phased hand over of services as Mill House Leisure Centre closes.

Facilities will include:

• A 25-metre, eight-lane main pool; a 25-metre, four-lane learner pool with movable floor and a leisure pool, including a race slide and water play features.
• A spectator viewing gallery.
• A 100-station gym.
• Two inter-connected fitness studios.
• An indoor cycling/spinning studio.
• Active and soft play areas and a party room.
• A café with seating for 100 covers.
• Four NHS consultation suites.
• External ground and first-floor terraces.

Highlight will also be surrounded by informal outdoor event and activity spaces to support walking, cycling, running and outdoor fitness, with connections to Hartlepool Marina for water sports.

For more information about Highlight and answers to some frequently asked questions go to https://www.activehartlepool.co.uk/highlightactivewellbeinghub

The Council’s Active Hartlepool service which will operate the new facility, is also planning to arrange a series of site visits for members of the public to attend. These will offer the local community the chance to ask the project team questions and to see more of the site as construction work progresses. Dates and time for these site visits are still to be confirmed, but people can register their interest by emailing active.hartlepool@hartlepool.gov.uk