northgate arena refurbishment

big changes at northgate arena

Brio is excited to announce the refurbishment of Northgate Arena, made possible by a significant investment from Cheshire West and Chester Council. This multi-million pound project will bring modern upgrades and new features to our much-loved community hub. From upgraded pool facilities to a refreshed gym and brand-new changing areas, the improvements are designed to meet the needs of the whole community.

Key Highlights Include:

Transformed Pool Area
Refreshed Gym
Upgraded Sauna & Steam Room
Improved Changing Areas
New & Modern Studios
Upgraded Outdoor Space

don’t worry, we’ll remain partially open

We are open with a partial offering available through to Spring 2026. This includes a temporary gym space, fitness classes, and a variety of sports and activities to keep our community active and engaged during this time.

However, the swimming pool will close from Monday 23rd December 2024 until we reopen. We apologise for any inconvenience. If you are interested in swimming during this time, take a look at Brio Ellesmere Port and Brio Christleton nearby.

what classes will be available?

There will be over 60 classes available each week. For a complete list of available classes, check out our updated timetable here. This new schedule will be effective starting January 2nd, 2025.

what to expect

This project is all about giving back to the community. The upgrades are based on what you’ve asked for, like better toilet and changing facilities, improved air cooling and a more modern look throughout the building.

Refreshed Gym: The gym will be equipped with the latest technology, new flooring, better lighting, advanced air cooling, and dedicated changing areas.
Transformed Pool Area: The pool will feature interactive play equipment, a modern water slide, upgraded viewing balconies, and improved accessibility with pool pods.
Upgraded Sauna & Steam Room: Private changing rooms and relaxation spaces will be part of the enhanced sauna and steam room
Improved Changing Area: Family-friendly village changing rooms, poolside showers, and separate areas for gym and studio users will offer improved comfort and privacy.
State of the Art Studios: Cycling, multi-activity, and fitness studios will be upgraded with modern flooring, lighting, and air-cooling systems.
Upgraded Outdoor Space: The outdoor area will see improved accessibility, expanded parking, mobility transport storage, and new signage.
Eco-Friendly Solutions: Energy-saving LED lighting, solar panels, and pool filtration upgrades will improve the arena’s sustainability

next steps

The centre is currently open with a partial offering in place until Spring 2026. Visitors can access a temporary gym, fitness classes, and a wide range of sports and activities. The swimming pools remain closed and are scheduled to reopen in Spring 2026.

So far, work has focused on preparing the site for redevelopment. This has included removing non-structural elements and carrying out demolition in key areas, with all cleared materials processed off-site for recycling.

Now that the groundwork is largely complete, the rebuild phase is underway. Both pools have been fully scaffolded to allow for high-level work, and the new pool filtration system has been installed by pool specialists FT Leisure.

In the coming months, the focus will shift to major rebuild milestones. These include mechanical and electrical installations, a new air handling unit for the sports hall, and the addition of solar panels to the roof.

a big thank you to our members

We want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued support as we prepare for the exciting refurbishment of Northgate Arena. Your loyalty means a great deal to us, and this project wouldn’t be possible without the incredible community we serve. While we make these much-needed upgrades to improve your experience, we truly appreciate your patience and understanding.

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Northgate Refurb - FAQs

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I’m on a monthly direct debit membership. What are my options?

We’ve got a few options for you!

Stay as you are to continue using the temporary facilities at Northgate Arena and make use of our other amazing sites (a full list can be found here). You’ll also get access to an exclusive VIP membership offer when we reopen.
Switch to our special £17.95 adult or £11 junior per month deal, which gives you access to Northgate’s limited facilities. Stay with this for the full closure period, and we’ll treat you to a VIP membership offer when we reopen – it’s exclusive, just for you!
Or, if you need a break, you can freeze your current membership with no fuss for the entirety of the refurb. Just let us know what suits you best!

If you’d like to stay as you are, great! Feel free to start using other Brio sites. Otherwise, let us know what you want to do here.

IMPORTANT: Please let us know by Friday 6th December 2024 so your Direct Debit can be correctly edited

I’m on an annual subscription. What are my options?

We’ve got a few options for you!

Stay as you are to continue using the temporary facilities at Northgate Arena and make use of our other amazing sites (a full list can be found here). You’ll also get access to an exclusive VIP membership offer when we reopen.
Switch to our special £17.95 adult or £11 junior per month deal, which gives you access to Northgate’s limited facilities. You will be refunded the difference between the annual fee you paid and the total amount of the temporary offer across the closure period. If stay with us throughout the closure period, we’ll treat you to a VIP membership offer when we reopen – it’s exclusive, just for you!
Or, if you need a break, you can freeze your current membership with no fuss for the entirety of the refurb. Just let us know what suits you best!
You can also be issued with a refund on the time you have left on your annual subscription. There will be a 10 day cooling off period from Monday 6th January. If you do not claim a refund before this date (Thurs 16th January 2025), we will be unable to issue you with one. Please reach out to the Brio team at Northgate Arena and they’ll be happy to help.

If you’d like to stay as you are, great! Feel free to start using other Brio sites. Otherwise, let us know what you want to do here.

IMPORTANT: Please let us know by Friday 6th December 2024 so we can update your payment accordingly. You can let us know your choice here.

I’m on a Swim Only membership. What are my options?

We’ve got a few options for you!

Stay as you are and use the pools at our other centres, including Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Neston Recreation Centre and Christleton Sports Centre. A full list of our centres with pools can be seen here). You’ll also get access to an exclusive VIP Swim membership offer when we reopen.
Or, if you need a break, you can freeze your current membership with no fuss for the entirety of the refurb. Just let us know what suits you best!

If you’d like to stay as you are, great! Feel free to start using other Brio sites. Otherwise, let us know what you want to do here.

IMPORTANT: Please let us know by Friday 6th December 2024 so your Direct Debit can be correctly edited

When will the refurbishment start and when will the building close?

The refurbishment kicks off soon! Both pools will close from 23rd December 2024, the Northgate Arena will be fully closed from Monday the 6th January to Sunday the 12th January. We will reopen on January 13th with a partial offering available through to Spring 2026. We’ll still have some facilities available during this time, but the big transformation will be underway!

We will also need to shut down the gym and sports hall on 16th – 18th December 2024 to move all gym equipment to its new temporary home. Don’t worry, both will reopen again on 19th December.

When will the refurbishment be completed?

Will the gym still be open during the refurbishment?

Yes! While the main building is getting its glow-up, we’ll have a temporary gym space available, so you can still get your workout in. It might be a bit different, but it’s still packed with all the essentials. Although the gym will still be in action, we cannot say the same for our changing rooms. Unfortunately, these and our showers will remain closed throughout the duration of the project. Toilet facilities will remain open though.

Another thing to keep in mind is that we will also need to shut down the gym and sports hall on 16th – 18th December 2024 to move all gym equipment to its new temporary home. Don’t worry, both will reopen again on 19th December.

What will happen to my swimming lessons?

During the refurbishment, we will relocate as many swimming lessons as possible to either Christleton Sports Centre or Ellesmere Port Sports Village. However, our Aquatics Officers will be in touch to confirm that status of your lesson, the new location and class times. Most of our lessons will continue, just in a different pool for now!

Will there be fitness classes during the refurbishment?

Absolutely! We’ll still be running over 60 fitness classes per week in our temporary space. From spin classes to Pilates and yoga, there will be a variety of classes on offer. Check our timetable for what’s on offer. You can also continue to book through our app. Although we’ll still have a packed class programme, unfortunately, our changing rooms and showers will remain closed throughout the duration of the project.

What’s happening to Topsy Tumbles sessions during the refurbishment?

How will access to the centre and car park be affected?

During the works, a section of the car park will be closed. You’ll still be able to access the car park from both directions on Victoria Road, however, it will be a right turn only when you exit. Don’t worry – the rest of the parking area will still be available for use as normal. Just give yourself a bit of extra time to find a spot.

Can I still make block bookings for my club?

What improvements are being made to Northgate Arena?

Where do we start?! The refurbishment includes a refreshed pool area, a state-of-the-art gym, much-improved family-friendly changing facilities, new, modern and dedicated fitness studios, and so much more! We're also adding some eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels and LED lighting to make Northgate greener and more energy-efficient.

With the pool closing throughout, what can I do if I want to swim?

No need to hang up your goggles! Whilst Brio Northgate pools are closed, your Brio membership gives you access to our other swimming pools at Brio Christleton, Brio Neston and Brio Ellesmere Port. You can also visit Chester City Baths on Union Street in the city centre, but please note that this location is not included in your Brio membership or Brio Active Card.

What activities will be on at the Northgate during the closure period?

Even with the refurbishment underway, there’s still plenty to keep you active! While the main building will be partially closed, here’s what you can do in our temporary facilities:

Temporary Gym Space: Stay fit and healthy in our temporary gym, equipped with essential cardio and strength equipment.
Fitness & Spin Classes: Join our selection of group fitness classes, ranging from yoga, spin and pilates to high-intensity training – all running throughout the closure.
Sports and Activities: We’ll continue to offer a variety of sports like badminton, pickleball, table tennis and more in our allocated studio space and sports hall.

However, please note that all changing rooms, showers and both swimming pools will remain closed during the refurbishment.

Will the showers and changing rooms be available during the refurbishment?

Unfortunately, all showers and changing rooms will be closed. We know this might be a bit inconvenient, but we’re working hard to provide the best experience possible with the temporary facilities. If you’re coming for a workout or a class, please arrive ready to go. Thanks for bearing with us – it’ll all be worth it when the new, improved spaces open! The toilets will remain open in the café area as usual.

Will there be any disruption to any of the temporary facilities?

Whilst we’re hoping to keep disruption to a minimum, there may be some changes to some classes and activities during the refurbishment. We’ll always do our best to update you on any changes in advance. Keep an eye on our website and sign up above to stay in the know.

Will reception be open as usual?

Yes, our reception will remain open during the refurbishment! You’ll still be able to pop in for any enquiries, bookings or general support. We’re here to help with anything you need, even while the building gets its makeover! Just bear in mind that access may be a little different, but we’ll make sure it’s as smooth as possible.

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