TV'S KADDY TO OPEN REVAMPED LEISURE CENTRE

The BBC South East Today presenter will be joined by local dignitaries including the Mayor, Cllr Geoff Rowe, and the leader of Wealden District Council, Cllr Nigel Coltman, on tomorrow, Tuesday, March 28.

The centre hopes visitors will be impressed by its state-of-the-art new tenpin bowling alley and soft play area.

The Mayor said: 'I think it is brilliant and I think it is moving with the times.

'It is innovative work and well thought out and I wish it every success.

'It will bring money and people to Hailsham and I think it will be a great success.'

Karen Burrell, marketing manager for Freedom Leisure, which runs the centre, said: 'We used to have just a sports hall and it was shared with Hailsham Community College.

'But they were awarded a lottery grant and now have their own sports hall.

'The county council used to pay us to let the students use the hall so when they got their own we lost income which is the reason for the facelift.'

A mezzanine has split the sports hall allowing space for all the exciting additions.

The tenpin bowling takes up the ground floor and upstairs there is a new crche, caf, a large children's soft play area and a gym especially designed for children.

Karen added: 'I think the gym is the most exciting part for us. The equipment is aimed at eight to 13-year-olds but adults can use it too.

'We are keen to get kids and parents exercising together to create a whole family experience.

'The lighting and graphics at the bowling alley are fantastic and everyone who has seen it is amazed.'

Freedom Leisure held a Willy Wonka themed competition involving 20 local schools.

Every child was given an envelope and hidden in one per school was a purple ticket.

The child who found it is invited as a VIP to the opening with a friend.

Managing director of Freedom Leisure, Jeff Hart said: 'This has changed the face of leisure provision in small places like Hailsham being able to offer these facilities. I think it is fantastic for the community to have these facilities on the doorstep.'