Freedom Leisure has secured a 15-year contract with Powys County Council to operate 15 sites in mid-Wales.

Freedom Leisure’s appointment marks a new era for leisure facilities in Wales’ largest county which, until now, have been solely managed by the council.

The not-for-profit leisure operator will oversee a £2.5m investment across the 15 leisure facilities – 10 of which sit alongside local schools – including site developments at three facilities and five environmental upgrade projects. Every site will receive a brand new IT and membership management system to streamline communications and bookings while enhancing customer relationships.

“Our aspiration, as always, is to deliver a locally-focused leisure service for the communities in Powys,” said Freedom Leisure MD Ivan Horsfall Turner.

“The wide range of sites gives us plenty of scope to enhance the leisure facilities in the region which, in partnership with the council, will benefit from an investment of around £2.5m.”

The addition of the Powys sites brings the number of centres managed by Freedom Leisure to 53 across the UK.