AN agreement in principle to allow members of the public and schools to continue to use Sturminster Newton Leisure Centre until a new trust takes over is expected to be made next Wednesday.

But the proposed arrangements would massively cut the opening hours from just over 70 hours a week to 45.

The meeting will take place at North Dorset District Council's Blandford offices in the council chambers.

The district council is withdrawing funding for the centre on March 31.

Discussions about how the centre could be run in future have been going on for more than a year between the district council, Dorset County County and Sturminster Newton Town Council, SturQuest, Sturminster High School and Yewstock School, as well as clubs and other groups.

It was agreed the best way forward was to find a trust to run the business side of the facility.

Dorset County Council would then take on the responsibility of the building and maintenance requirements.

There is currently no trust in a position to take over the centre immediately but one has expressed an interest to operate the centre from the beginning of September.

Interim arrangements are being put in place to enable the centre to remain open until the beginning of September when it is hoped a trust will take over.

The interim measure will see the district council continue to staff the site, on a reduced basis, and county council being responsible for the maintenance, utilities and rates.

This arrangement would still allow Sturminster High School, Yewstock School, clubs and groups to use the centre as they currently do, with the clubs and groups gaining access under a key holder arrangement.

For this period there would be a reduction in opening hours during quieter spells.

The centre currently is closed on Saturdays but has varied opening hours during the rest of week, on most days opening from 7am, 8am or 8.45am and closing at 1.30pm on Sundays, and at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm on various days during the week.

The proposed opening hours for general users would be Monday to Friday at 7am-10am and then at 4-9pm, with Sunday hours being 8am-1pm.