Not-for-profit leisure provider GLL has further consolidated its national expansion by securing its first management contract in the Midlands.

The charitable Social Enterprise has been awarded a 10-year contract by Rugby Borough Council to run the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Centre - a new build which will open in July this year.

The new leisure centre replaces the ageing Ken Marriot Centre and facilities will include a 25m, eight lane swimming pool, a studio pool with moveable floor, a fitness suite, feature climbing wall, six court sports hall and a coffee shop.

GLL will also be responsible for the management of the adjacent 400m Rugby / Athletics Track.

Rugby Borough Council awarded the contract based on a bid that showed both social and financial benefits. GLL's status as a social enterprise means that the centre will be run on a not-for-profit basis, with any surplus reinvested into services. The organisation is owned by its staff and will operate under the brand 'Better'.

GLL's contract will begin on 1 April and the first task will be to find premises to operate from in the period before the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Centre opens.

This closure period is needed to allow safe demolition of the Ken Marriott Leisure Centre and final completion and commissioning of the new leisure centre, including staff training.

Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for economy, development, and culture, said: "While construction work on the new leisure centre has been ongoing for nearly a year, we have been working on the tendering process for the operation of the centre since April 2012.

"I am very pleased to now reach this important milestone, which allows GLL and ourselves to plan for the closure of the Ken Marriott Leisure Centre and transfer operations to the new centre. GLL have a track record of running excellent services for the communities they serve and I look forward to them doing the same for the people of Rugby."

Mark Sesnan, managing director of GLL, said: "We are delighted to have been invited to work in partnership with Rugby Council and are committed to providing first class leisure and sporting facilities to local residents.

"We believe our experience - GLL now operates more than 110 public leisure centres across England and Wales - coupled with our status as a not for profit social enterprise means that we have both the operational skills and community focus that will enable us to deliver top quality leisure services and encourage increased participation from local residents regardless of age or fitness levels."