New manager takes reins at Arena centre

Lee Payne replaced long-serving Mark Betts, who has joined the senior leadership team at the neighbouring Bognor Regis Community College.

Lee joined the sports centre from a similar role in Billingshurst where he gained the leisure industry's quality award, Quest.

He has extensive experience from the Arun Leisure Centre in Felpham, where he worked in 2000, and at Horsham District Council.

"From what I have seen so far," said Lee, "The Arena sports centre is a unique leisure experience for its staff and customers.

"I am very proud and excited to be taking on this role.

"I was amazed at the amount that goes on here which is both sporting and non-sporting."

Lee's appointment comes as the centre's out-of-school club is also welcoming a new manager.

Katy Fearns has joined the successful initiative, started five years ago, which provides childcare for more than 250 children a week from seven schools in an Ofsted-registered programme.

That is about to expand to eight schools, as Katy's first task is to open out-of-school provision at South Bersted Primary School.

The club runs childcare sessions from 7am until the start of each school's day and again from the finishing time until 6pm.

Every holiday sees it in action between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

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