Following a competitive tendering process, Serco Leisure and its partner More Leisure Community Trust Limited (MLCT) have been awarded a 10-year contract by Mansfield District Council to operate three centres in the town, starting 1 May 2022.

The new contract, which includes management of Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre and Water Meadows Swimming & Fitness Complex, sees Serco extend their relationship with the council, which began with an initial contract win in 2012.

The agreement marks a new beginning for leisure services in the town with the creation of an Active Communities Team, who’ll be tasked with getting local people more active via outreach schemes in areas deemed high priority by the council.

There will be £1.7m investment across the three sites with a range of innovative facility enhancements, including an outdoor 3G sports pitch, a Fun Walls climbing zone, interactive Splash Pad and refreshed gyms. There will also be a new Shapemaster toning suite and Community Hub for local partners and community groups to use aimed at improving health and wellbeing.

Led by Serco’s National Energy Manger, the operator will also support Mansfield District Council with its efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by using several initiatives that will result in a 418,000 kg reduction of the sites’ annual CO2 output.

Simon Lane, Serco Leisure’s Managing Director said: “I’m delighted at this news, both for the local team and the people of this community, who’ll continue to benefit from the consistent high standards of service we pride ourselves on across this business.

“We’re very proud of our record in Mansfield. From the award-winning GP referral scheme, Healthy Life, which has helped hundreds of local people ease back into fitness and benefit from more active lifestyles, to Oak Tree Leisure Centre’s amazing run of success at the leisure industry’s premier recognition event, the ukactive awards - winning Centre of the Year for the Midlands on no less than three occasions - we really feel we’ve put the pride back into leisure services in the region.

“We will continue to offer the people of this community affordable, accessible and inclusive health and fitness facilities, working closely with the council to ensure our work aligns with their health and wellbeing targets.”

Cllr Andy Burgin, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Environment said: “This new contract marks a fresh start for leisure provision in Mansfield and will bring multiple health and wellbeing benefits to our residents.

“We are committed to providing residents, of all ages and abilities, with access to a range of opportunities to get involved in sport, physical activity and health and wellbeing activities. The new contract looks at introducing new options within the local community and we look forward to working closely with Serco Leisure and MLCT and seeing their exciting plans come to fruition over the coming months.”

Serco and its partner MLCT will deliver the contract. Brian Taylor, Chair of More Leisure Community Trust added: “This win is wonderful news. A 10-year contract shows Mansfield District Council are confident Serco and MLCT understand the needs of Mansfield citizens and trust us to deliver innovative and exciting developments, which will benefit customers and attract new users to our facilities in Mansfield.”

The River Maun Recreation Centre, currently operated by Serco Leisure and the Mansfield District Leisure Trust, is not included in the new contract. Plans are underway to transfer operation of the centre to Nottingham-based charity Switch Up.