Ipswich: Northgate Sports Centre future to be resolved

At the end of March, management of the facility will return to the county council (SCC), after being run by Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) for 25 years.

In what has been described as a "cut and run" job, the county council are now deciding what the future holds for the sports centre.

Rachel Hood, cabinet member for education, SEND and skills at SCC, said: "IBC pulled out of the 25 year old agreement to run leisure services at Northgate School without any consultation with SCC or the school.

Rachel Hood, cabinet member for SCC. Credit: SCC (Image: Simon Lee Photography/Suffolk County Council)

"We are working to fill the void that IBC has created when it cut-and-run.

"However, I am pleased to say that a solution has been found and we will be announcing plans to sercure the future of the site soon."

Councillor Bryony Rudkin, IBC portfolio holder for communities and sport, said: "We are sure that as the owners of the sports facilities SCC will have plans in place."

Cllr Bryony Rudkin from IBC. Credit: IBC (Image: IBC)

The sports centre, which holds an athletics track, sports halls and tennis courts, has been the home of many clubs over the years, who still are unsure as to what will happen.

Margaret Leek at Ipswich Harriers, which has used the track for over 40 years, said: "We have 270 members and we need to be able to plan what we can do with those.

"The facilities are so important to us, those who do hurdles, pole vault, long jumpers.

"Everybody is frustrated and concerned at the moment."

Northgate Sports Centre. Credit: Tom Cann (Image: Tom Cann)

Jenny Lau from the Orwell Panthers, a club for people with disabilities which has used Northgate for 20 years, said: "We are very worried.

"For our members, this club is some of the only physical activity they can get in a week, and it might be the only social activity they do, so for them, it's more than just a sports club.

"We don't have an alternative.

"It's got everything we need, I can't stress enough how essential the facilities are."

SCC has said that they would like to reassure users of the site, who have faced uncertainty, that they have found a solution which suits the needs of everyone.

Orwell Panthers members have been using the facilities for 20 years. Credit: Orwell Panthers (Image: Orwell Panthers)