A North East leisure trust has won national recognition after its gym beat major multimillion-pound developments across the UK.
Tees Active, which runs Billingham Forum, won the Design, Build and Refurbishment award at the ukactive Awards for transforming the community facility.
Billingham Forum beat some of the UK’s biggest new leisure schemes to win the award.
Tees Active, which runs Billingham Forum, won the Design, Build and Refurbishment award at the ukactive Awards for transforming the community facility (Image: Supplied)
Leon Jones, managing director of Tees Active, said: "This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Tees Active.
"We didn’t just want to build a bigger gym – we wanted to challenge expectations of what public leisure could be and prove that exceptional quality doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.
"To see that ambition recognised nationally, alongside some incredible multimillion-pound developments, is an enormous achievement.
Tees Active, which runs Billingham Forum, won the Design, Build and Refurbishment award at the ukactive Awards for transforming the community facility (Image: Supplied)
"It’s a fantastic opportunity to put the Tees Valley firmly on the map for excellence in public leisure.
"I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created, but equally proud of our team.
"Their dedication and genuine care for our members is what turns a fantastic facility into an outstanding experience."
The ukactive Awards recognise excellence and innovation across the leisure and fitness industry.
All the winners (Image: Supplied)
The win also reflects Tees Active’s ongoing partnership with Stockton Council.
Councillor Nigel Cooke, cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture at the council, said: "This is fantastic news for Billingham and a thoroughly deserved achievement for everyone at Tees Active.
"To see one of our local leisure facilities recognised alongside some of the biggest developments in the country is something we should all be incredibly proud of.
"Tees Active has demonstrated real ambition and expertise in creating a facility that offers exceptional quality while remaining accessible to local people.
"This award shows what can be achieved through a shared vision and the ambition to make it happen."
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Tees Active said the award recognised more than one refurbishment, showing it can deliver nationally recognised facilities while keeping community access at its heart.
The Billingham Forum approach is already shaping plans for other leisure developments across the organisation.
The gym is also shortlisted for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year award at November’s National Fitness Awards.