If you swim, exercise in a gym or play sport at a Council leisure centre in Eden then from the 1 April 2012, a new company will be managing the facility on the Council’s behalf. This follows the successful completion of a retendering process for Eden District Council’s leisure management contract.
Hexham based charitable company North Country Leisure, has been awarded the contract by the Council for a 10 year period, with an option for a further five years. The charity already manages leisure facilities in North and West Northumberland and West Cumbria on behalf of Copeland Borough Council.
Eden District Council’s Community Services Portfolio, Councillor Mary Robinson, said: “The Council is very impressed with the professionalism and high quality of service that North Country Leisure can deliver. The District benefits from some of the best leisure provision in the North of England and we want the service our residents receive to match the investment the Council has made in the facilities.
“Ensuring our communities have access to first class leisure provision adds to people’s quality of life and helps to ensure they are fit and active, which is very important for Eden’s ageing population. We also need to ensure more young people are engaging with sport and recreation outside of school at an early age. I am very much looking forward to working with North Country Leisure in the coming months.”
The Leisure Services contract will include the management of all of the Council facilities, including Penrith Leisure Centre, Appleby Leisure Centre, Frenchfield Sports Centre and outdoor sports pitches at Castletown Recreation Ground, King George Field Appleby and The Crescent Penrith.
Formed as a Northumberland charity in 1999, and following the contract agreement with Copeland Borough Council in 2006, North Country Leisure are looking forward to extending their leisure management services further in Cumbria by working in partnership with Eden District Council.
Chief Executive for NCL John Maude said “We’ve been really impressed with the leisure sites in Eden and are looking forward to working with residents, staff and Eden District Council, helping everyone to enjoy an active and healthy life."
A Board of local people will be formed as part of the Charity to manage and develop services in Eden, if you are interested in applying to join please visit www.northcountryleisure.org.uk for details, or contact Jayne Longlands on 01434 613202.
For more information about Eden District Council visit www.eden.gov.uk or follow us at www.twitter.com/edencouncil
For more information on North Country Leisure visit our website at www.northcountryleisure.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information contact the Communication Officer at Eden District Council telephone: 01768 212137.
North Country Leisure
1. North Country Leisure is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated in November 1998 to manage leisure services in the Tynedale District Council area. On 1 April 2003 it took on the management of Alnwick District Council’s leisure facilities. 1 April 2006 saw the company extend west and the operation of Copeland Borough Council’s main leisure sites.
2. The overall mission is “Excellent sports & leisure for all”
3. The objectives of the charity are: “In the interests of social welfare, provide or assist in the provision of, facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation for the benefit of the public in the counties of Northumberland, Cumbria, Tyne and Wear, Yorkshire and Durham. To promote and protect the good physical and mental health of persons living in or visiting the area”
4. A non-charitable company, North Country Leisure (Trading) Limited carries out the trading activities associated with the charity, principally the provision of catering and training services. Profits are transferred to the charity through gift aid.
