University of East Anglia (UEA) director of physical education and sport Keith Nicholls, who is responsible for the operation of the Norwich-based institution's Sportspark, has retired.

Nicholls has been with the UEA for more than 20 years and has led the Sportspark venue for more than 10 years, having first conceived the £17.6m development in 1991.

The facility was built with the help of a £14.6m Lottery grant secured in 1998 and is used by 1.4 million people each year, 80 per cent of which are from the local community.

It has been confirmed that the large indoor hall at Sportspark is to be renamed as the Keith Nicholls Arena, who is moving on to start a sports equipment manufacturing business.

Nicholls will direct profits from his new venture to the Ruth Nicholls Volleyball Federation set up in memory of his late daughter. He has also joined a UK consultancy firm.

"The ability of the Sportspark to operate out of income received from users, and not need subsidies [from local authorities or universities], secures its future," he said.

A new £2.8m gymnastics centre opened at Sportspark in August, while a £400,000 project to expand football facilities at Soccerpark was completed earlier this year.