From September 2010, people in Aylesham will be able to use the sporting and leisure facilities of the new Aylesham Welfare Leisure Centre.

The new centre is currently under construction on Spinney Lane sports grounds and will be run by Kent and Sussex leisure provider, Freedom Leisure, bringing the total number of leisure and fitness centres managed by the trust to 20.

The new facilities have been funded by a range of partners including the Football Foundation, Dover District Council, the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, Rugby Football Union, the Big Lottery Fund and the Aylesham & Snowdown Social Welfare Scheme.

The new Aylesham Welfare Leisure Centre will provide great facilities, including 10 grass pitches, a café, a multi use games area, a 3G Artificial Turf Pitch and much improved changing facilities. A second phase of improvement will include the building of a state-of-the-art fitness facility, a meeting room and a bar. The development will provide the local community with a full range of facilities and a plethora of activities throughout the year, whatever the weather. An Open Day will take place in the coming months so that customers can visit and try some of the great activities on offer.

Jeff Hart, Freedom Leisure's Managing Director commented, "Together with the centre in Sandwich, this will be Freedom Leisure's second Kent site. We are looking forward to working with the local sports clubs and community to make the Aylesham Welfare Leisure Centre a great success for the town. Freedom Leisure is delighted to offer a growing variety of activities in fun, friendly and inspiring environments".

Freedom Leisure is a not-for-profit leisure trust, based in Uckfield, East Sussex. They are the largest provider of community leisure in Sussex and have seen continuous and steady growth over the past six years, building its current portfolio to 20 leisure and fitness centres across Sussex and Kent. This has been achieved by working closely with seven councils including Wealden District Council and Hastings Borough Council. Freedom Leisure now employs 1,200 staff and has an annual turnover of £20m.