A SCHOOL has taken on full time running of leisure services at a sports centre in order to allow it to thrive as a community hub.

Leisure services provided by Tendring Council will cease from August 1 at Manningtree Sports Centre, in Manningtree High School, Colchester Road.

The school has now confirmed it will keep the facility open for community use outside of school times.

Alex Porter, Tendring councillor responsible 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,” Mr Porter said.

“Although the school has decided to do this, I must be clear we support their decision and we are really pleased the school will continue to offer community use of the facilities.”

For Sally Morris, the school’s headteacher, the transition would lead to an enhanced offer for people in the area.

She added: “Over the past two years the facilities at the school 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 using the various amenities here, as well as holiday schemes and a music school.

“The school 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.”

Tendring Council’s leisure services in Manningtree include use of two sports halls and a gym – which due to the ventilation system has not re-opened since the pandemic began.

Council leisure members can continue to access these services at its other leisure centres, while staff at the sports centre will be offered positions at the council’s other leisure centres; consultation with them is ongoing.

Further details are to be sent to leisure centre members in due course.