PLANS for a £15m refurbishment of a North-East leisure centre have moved a step closer with the announcement of a contractor.

Stockton Council has appointed Morgan Ashurst as the contractor to carry out the multi-million pound refurbishment of Billingham Forum.

Following extensive work to find and appoint a suitably qualified contractor, Morgan Ashurst will now work with the council and its partners to help design the refurbishment.

The project will see the pool modified to a 25m standard size, the ice rink will be upgraded, the gym extended and modernised, and the toilets, changing rooms and spectator areas improved.

And there will be a new adventure play area, dance studio, bar and bistro, and exhibition space for artwork. And the dressing rooms behind the theatre will also be revamped.

Morgan Ashurst, which has offices in Belmont Park, Durham, has a lot of experience working on large scale leisure schemes, both new-build and refurbishment.

The firm recently completed a £13 million project to build the flagship Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre in Durham.

Stockton Council will now work with the contractors on the proposals for the major revamp and will take the final design and costs to cabinet for approval in March 2009, before submitting the planning application.

Work is scheduled to start on site in July next year.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "A refurbished Billingham Forum is what the people of Billingham, Stockton and the Tees Valley have been asking for and this £15 million investment will provide a first class facility."

David Smailes, area director at Morgan Ashurst, added: "We are delighted to be involved in the refurbishment of this iconic building.

"While experienced at delivering public sector buildings, it is particularly rewarding to work on projects which benefit the whole community."

To keep up-to-date with the latest news log onto www.stockton.gov.uk/newlookforum