Council leisure services ending at Manningtree Sports Centre
A school is looking to manage the facility
Council leisure services at Manningtree Sports Centre, including use of two sports halls and a gym, will be ending this month.
But, Manningtree High School will keep the facility open for community use outside of school times.
It is anticipated that Tendring District Council (TDC) run leisure services will stop from 1 August.
TDC leisure members will still be able to access services at the council's other leisure centres.
Meanwhile staff at the sports centre will be offered positions at TDC’s other leisure centres, and a consultation with them is said to be ongoing.
Alex Porter, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said the move was hopefully the start of a new chapter for the site:
"While our leisure team run excellent services at Manningtree Sports Centre, having a facility such as this run by the community – and crucially the organisation which owns the building – can be a real positive.
"Although the school has decided to do this, I must be clear that we support their decision and we are really pleased that the school will continue to offer community use of the facilities."
Meanwhile Sally Morris, MHS Headteacher, said the transition would lead to an enhanced offer:
"Over the last two years the facilities at MHS have been enhanced by the building of a performing arts centre which contains a dance and drama studio.
"The multi-use games area is already being hired out for public use, with football, netball and cheerleading groups currently using the various amenities here, as well as holiday schemes and a music school.
"MHS is making all its facilities available for community hire for sports and leisure activities.
"The dance studio is ideal for fitness, yoga or martial arts classes, while the two sports halls are bookable for sports groups and our new drama studio is a first-class rehearsal space.
"We want our buildings to be a community resource and feel we can enhance our offer by managing the lettings ourselves."
The council has said further details will be sent to leisure centre members "in due course".