Freedom Leisure takes reins of Arun facilities

Freedom Leisure has taken over the management of four leisure facilities in Arun, West Sussex, on a 10-year contract.

The not-for-profit leisure trust is working in partnership with Arun District Council to manage Arun Leisure Centre, Bersted Park Community Centre, Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre and The Windmill Entertainment Centre.

This is the ninth contract in Sussex for Freedom Leisure, which already operates 25 centres across the county in partnership with eight local authorities.

All four facilities in Arun will benefit from upgrade work, with new equipment and energy conservation measures due be added to the leisure sites. Arun Leisure Centre will enjoy significant capital investment of around £1.5m to improve its facilities and energy efficiency, including a new reception and café area with a Costa Coffee offering for customers to enjoy.

“All four sites have great potential and loyal customers,” said Ivan Horsfall Turner, Freedom Leisure MD.

“We are looking forward to working on a wide range of new developments aimed at increasing community cohesion and encouraging positive lifestyles through sport.”

Nigel Lynn, CEO at Arun District Council, added that the authority aims to work with Freedom to ensure that opportunities for health and wellbeing are improved for all residents, but particularly the young, elderly and less well off.

Lynn added: “This is an exciting time for leisure in Arun, which will benefit from a host of initiatives proposed by Freedom and investment by the council, alongside the building of a new leisure centre in Littlehampton scheduled to open in 2019.”