A deal has been struck to transfer some council-run sports centres in East Sussex into the hands of a trust.
Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council have handed management of the sports centres in Hailsham, Crowborough, Uckfield and Heathfield over to non-profit organisation Wealden Leisure.
A spokeswoman for the district council described the deal as historic and said it would open the door for funding previously unavailable to the council.
District council leader Councillor Rupert Thornely-Taylor said: "This is the best way of providing quality leisure services into the future."
A panel comprising members of the public will form part of the board of Wealden Leisure.
Jeff Hart, managing director of the trust, said: "This signing will pave the way for the first major fitness expansion at Utopia Leisure Centre in Uckfield.
"By the autumn we hope to see the results of a £250,000 gym extension and refit there."
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