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 15 year period. 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.