The Ashington Leisure Centre is a community and leisure facility that sets a high benchmark and precedent for design excellence, marking the beginning of a regeneration for the town centre. Externally the building stands with civic pride facing the town centre. The scale of the large volumes: the triple height entrance foyer and pool elevation are fenestrated with tall glazed panels bringing elegance and emphasis to the entrance area.
The building includes a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, and a six-court sports hall with extensive floor space and equipment for gymnastics and cricket. Other facilities include a high-quality library which incorporates the latest interactive technology, a soft play area and a café, all clustered together in the heart of the building, to provide a calm, relaxing and modern environment to read, learn or meet friends. The centre also includes a fitness gym and a luxurious spa and incorporates several artistic features including feature glazing inspired by the Pitmen Painters and a feature wall inspired by the mining heritage of Ashington.
In 2016 the leisure centre won a prestigious RIBA North East Award. Councillor Val Tyler, Cabinet member for Arts, Leisure and Culture at Northumberland County Council, commented: “Huge congratulations go to Ryder Architecture and the whole team that developed the designs for this magnificent leisure centre. The leisure services we are providing to residents and visitors are first class, but to be able to say that we are doing this from a building of award-winning design is even more special. I am delighted that Ashington Leisure Centre has won this prestigious architectural award.”
Hundreds of residents and visitors visited the new Ashington Leisure Centre on its first public opening day, Monday 4th January 2016.
Hardscape were proud of their collaborative support in supplying Kellen Breccia Tagenta A, B & E paving, concrete tactiles and Crystal Black granite benches to the scheme.
