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About Bishop Auckland Leisure Hub – Latest Updates

    Construction starts on new leisure centre and library

    Published 5th September 2025

    (Image – Left to right): Alex Isted, regional director at Morgan Sindall, Paul Latcham, our leisure operations manager, Cllr Joe Quinn, Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, and Ben Kelsey, our senior manager for projects and performance.

    The creation of a new leisure centre and library for Bishop Auckland has reached its first major milestone.

    We have held an official ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the town’s new leisure centre and library, which will see the current facilities replaced with a new, modern community hub.

    When complete, the new venue will feature a fully integrated library space; two accessible swimming pools; a cutting-edge gym and two group exercise studios; a Move Hub with power-assisted equipment; a sauna and steam room; a soft play centre; and a café.

    Enabling works have been ongoing since the summer to prepare the site, which included the demolition of Woodhouse Close Library, and work will now start on the new build.

    Next phase of development

    Cllr Joe Quinn, our Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “We’re delighted to be moving forward with the new leisure centre and library for Bishop Auckland, with the project entering its next phase of development and work officially starting on the new building.

    “This project is being delivered as part of our Leisure Transformation Programme through which we have been creating modern and accessible facilities across our towns to encourage more residents to engage with leisure activities and live healthier lives. The new centre also supports our wider ambition to build better communities and thriving towns through the provision of up-to-date facilities.”

    Changes to services

    • Woodhouse Closure Leisure Centre remains open to the public while works are ongoing.
    • While Woodhouse Close Library has now been demolished, a click-and-collect library service is available at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre.
    • Residents can continue to access full services at nearby libraries including Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Shildon, and Coundon.
    • The project is funded by us with a £2.75 million contribution from Sport England. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.

    Residents and customers will be kept updated as the works progresses.

      Work to begin on new Bishop Auckland leisure centre

      Published June 05, 2025 9.15am

      A contractor has been appointed to create a brand-new leisure centre for Bishop Auckland, with work to start this summer. We have appointed Morgan Sindall to carry out work on the new-build site, which will be located next to Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre on the site of the current Woodhouse Close Library.

      The new building will create a community hub bringing both the leisure services and the library together in one place, supporting health, wellbeing, education, and skills all under one roof. It will include two accessible swimming pools, a sauna and steam room. There will also be a modern gym with the latest equipment and technology, alongside two new purpose-built group exercise spaces. A Move Hub will be created with power-assisted equipment for people who need support to improve strength and mobility, including those recovering from health conditions. And there will be the addition of a new soft play centre and café alongside the library, creating a place for families, friends, and the whole community.

      Cllr Joe Quinn, our Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “We are delighted to soon begin work on the new leisure centre for Bishop Auckland following the appointment of the contractor. The project is part of our leisure transformation programme to modernise leisure facilities across the county as well as our ongoing regeneration of the town.

      “The new venue will bring leisure and library services together in a single, modern site with new features to make our services accessible to all ages and abilities and support community wellbeing.”

      Library closure
      While Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre will remain open, Woodhouse Close Library is closing from Saturday 7 June as part of works beginning. A click and collect library service will be available within Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre during the ongoing works. Users will be able to access the full range of services at all other libraries with the nearest at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, followed by Shildon and Coundon library venues.

      The new leisure centre is being funded by us, with a contribution of £2.75m from Sport England.

        Bishop Auckland Leisure Hub – Latest Updates