Willmott Dixon secures Eston Pool development

Willmott Dixon is extending its track-record for leisure projects in the North East with an appointment by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to build a £15m swimming pool complex in Eston.

This project, to be completed in early 2026 and operated by Everyone Active, will see a 25-metre, six-lane pool built with changing areas and a 150-seat spectator gallery.

It will also include a separate learner pool, welcoming children and young people to learn how to swim. Once opened, residents will have access to public swimming and swimming lessons as well as galas and competition swimming.

Procured via Procurement Hub’s Major Projects Framework, the project received funding from the Government, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that work to build the new swimming pool and learner pool in Eston has started now that demolition is complete. We are delivering this project for the whole community, and we can’t wait for the facility to open.”

Cllr Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare at the Council, said: “Access to leisure and healthy pastimes play a significant role in improving our quality of life and improving our health and wellbeing. This new pool will not only benefit local residents, but it also brings the opportunity to increase swimming provision across the borough. We are particularly proud of the efforts to make the learner pool an inclusive space so sensory swim sessions can be held to allow neurodivergent children and adults the opportunity to enjoy swimming.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This new facility is something that people in Eston have long been waiting for, and it’s fantastic to see work’s kicking off to give the area the pool complex it deserves.  We’re continuing to drive forward the transformative, large-scale projects of the future for the good of jobs and the economy. But this shows how our funding is helping communities big and small, the length and breadth of the region, bring their vital projects to fruition and improve everyone’s day-to-day lives.”

Last year, Willmott Dixon completed Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre. Nick Corrigan, North East director for Willmott Dixon, said: “Our leisure sector experts bring a wealth of experience to Eston Pool and will ensure local people have a first-class health and wellbeing facility where generations of Eston children will learn to swim.

"We share Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's passion for changing lives and will deliver a bespoke Building Lives Academy, focussed entirely on creating opportunities for local people not in long-term employment. We are also committed to creating six new employment opportunities on the project, delivering more than 80 apprenticeship weeks and engaging with local school and college students.”

Beverly Tattersall, Client Relationship Manager, Procurement Hub, said: “We’re proud to be part of this fantastic project which has been procured through our Major Projects Framework (MPF2) in collaboration with Willmott Dixon to deliver the new facility. Redcar and Cleveland Council have listened to their community and made a commitment to bring to Eston, a fantastic facility that will be used and enjoyed for generations to come.”

Paul Ayre, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “It’s fantastic that work has started on the new swimming pool and learner pool, which will enable us to better serve people across the local community.

“The state-of-the-art facilities will allow people of all ages and abilities to get active and improve their physical and mental health, both now and long into the future.” This is the latest project for Willmott Dixon in the Tees Valley. The company is currently transforming Darlington’s Station entrance as part of Network Rail’s £140m masterplan to deliver extra train capacity and better passenger facilities at the station. It delivered the newly-opened and cutting-edge Hopetown Darlington tourist attraction and has revitalised Stockton’s iconic Globe Theatre into one the North East’s biggest live entertainment venues.