Northgate Arena Refurbishment

The Northgate Arena is undergoing a major transformation.  A partial closure of the building started on 6th January 2025, with works scheduled to be completed in Spring 2026.  Key highlights of the refurbishment include:

• Transformed pool area: The pool will feature interactive play equipment, a modern water slide, upgraded viewing balconies, improved décor with new flooring and pool linings, and enhanced accessibility with pool pod lifts.              

• Refreshed gym: The gym will be equipped with the latest technology, new flooring, better lighting, advanced air cooling, and dedicated changing areas.

• Upgraded sauna and steam room: Private changing rooms and relaxation spaces will be part of the enhanced sauna and steam room.

• Improved changing areas: Family-friendly village changing rooms, poolside showers, and separate areas for gym and studio users will offer improved comfort and privacy.

• New and modern studio spaces: 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, mobility transport storage, cycle storage, and new signage.

• Eco-friendly solutions: Energy-saving LED lighting, solar panels, reducing the main leisure pool depth along with pool filtration upgrades will all improve the Arena’s sustainability.

• Improved building structure: a major refurbishment of the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, including improvements to windows and doors, to bring the arena up to modern standards.

You can keep up to date with progress and see a video about the refurbishment at: https://www.brioleisure.org/northgate-arena-updates

Update July 2025

Brio and Cheshire West and Chester Council have reached the six-month mark in the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Northgate Arena.

The project, part of the Chester One City Plan, is designed to bring the much-loved site up to modern standards, including significant improvements to the pool areas, gym and studio spaces, as well as enhanced toilet and changing facilities.

Led by Read Construction, work began early January 2025 and remains on track for completion in Spring 2026. The initial phases have focused on preparing the building for development, including the removal of non-structural elements and demolition to several areas. All cleared materials have been processed off-site for recycling.

With the groundwork now largely complete, areas are being rebuilt again. Both pools have been fully scaffolded for high-level work to commence, and the new pool filtration system has been fully installed by pool specialists FT Leisure.

The next few months will focus on rebuilding, starting with mechanical and electrical installations, a new air handling unit for the sports hall, and brand-new solar panels on the roof.

Throughout this time, Northgate Arena has remained partially open to customers, with the sports hall temporarily functioning as a gym, studio, and racquet sports area. Brio Northgate will continue to offer a heavily discounted membership for the remainder of the refurbishment programme for customers.