Stockton Borough Council and leisure trust Tees Active are to build a £3.5m sports facility extension to the town’s Splash swimming and fitness centre.

The new complex, which will still be known as Splash, is set to replace the existing Stockton Sports Centre, which will close when the extended facility opens in summer 2008.

The 1,300sq m (14,000sq ft) new build project is being funded by Tees Active and will comprise the addition of a four-court sports hall, children’s play barn, two multi-activity spaces, a café, additional changing rooms and a specialist 150 sq m (1,600sq ft) treatment and spa area including a back care clinic and outpatients physiotherapy.

The existing Activ8 fitness studio will also be expanded from 200sq m (2,150sq ft) to 350sq m (3,800sq ft).

The extension is being designed in-house by Stockton Council, but will be based around the original design for Splash which was created by Faulkner Brown architects.

Chief executive of Tees Active, Steve Chaytor, said the extension to Splash was planned because it was not feasible to revamp the ageing Stockton Sports Centre. “Having consulted with user groups and individuals most agreed that it’s time to move on and create a state of the art facility fit for the 21st century,” he said.

“It is sad that Stockton Sports Centre will be closing but it is at the end of its natural lifespan and further investment is unviable because of problems of site and location and the cost of refurbishment. Developing on one site offers greater opportunities for economies of scale and financing options.”

Work is expected to begin within the next six to nine months,

Splash, which has been open since 2001, currently offers a 25m, six lane swimming pool; two flumes; a wave machine; whirlpool; shallow water leisure areas and a teaching pool as well as the Activ8 gym. Details: www.teesactive.co.uk