A POPULAR watersports centre is under new management.

The family business which set up the Four Seasons watersports centre more than 15 years ago has given up running the venue.

Stockton Active, a company which provides leisure facilities across the Tees Valley, will now take over at the white water course at the Tees Barrage.

Russell Smith, manager of Four Seasons, said: “The barrage is due to become an Olympic training centre and for that there needs to be many improvements.

“We have taken it as far as we can and it was felt that an organisation with a bit more financial clout was required.

“My family and I will continue to be involved.

“We are already looking into new projects that we can focus our energy on.

“We hope the new and improved white water course will attract not only local people, but bring in some big national and international contracts.”

Improvements to the white water course are expected to begin at the end of this month.

They include a new pump to increase the flow of water from seven cubic metres a second to 14. This will replace the current tidal system.

It will mean the course can produce a better quality of white water for nine hours rather than six.

The new pump will work backwards on an evening, producing green energy which will help power the amenities around the Tees Barrage.