The long-term future of Sudbury Sports Centre has been secured after it was announced that South Suffolk Leisure is to take over the management of the facility.

The sports centre, which is part of the Ormiston Sudbury Academy building in Tudor Road, has been at the heart of community since the school opened in the 1970s as Sudbury Upper School.

When the Ormiston Trust took control of the school, there were fears that the sports centre could be run down or even sold off. But now the trust has appointed South Suffolk Leisure, operator of the town’s Kingfisher Leisure Centre and Hadleigh Pool and Leisure, to deliver the sports centre’s services.

Caroline Wilson, principal of Ormiston Sudbury Academy, said it was decided that a company should be given the opportunity to run the centre.

She added: “It did go out to tender and South Suffolk Leisure were the strongest to run what I want for the community.

“(The centre) was always going to remain open and South Suffolk Leisure are happy to invest in the facility. I insist that my funding for education goes into just that – securing better experiences and outcomes for our students.

“South Suffolk Leisure are experienced in this field and will build further on what we provide at the centre. They will continue to work closely with us as the building remains Ormiston Sudbury Academy’s.

“I am confident the community will be as delighted as I am that we can continue to provide the facilities and services they want and a host of new ideas in an improved provision.”

The new arrangement started this week and several positive changes are expected. These include a fully refurbished state-of-the-art 18 station fitness suite and dual use membership for Sudbury Sports Centre, Kingfisher Leisure Centre and Hadleigh Pool & Leisure. There will be online booking for court hire and courses, new party packages and a refurbished party room for children. In the near future, a new coffee shop, indoor skateboard park, shop and customer incentive programme are expected to be introduced. Open days, activities, courses and holiday camps are also planned.

Visit www.ssleisure.co.uk/sudbury-sports-centre