The leisure centre at the school is currently run by Harrogate Borough Council as a joint-use facility with the agreement of Boroughbridge High and owners North Yorkshire County Council.

But in January, Harrogate council announced it was pulling out of managing the centre by Easter and since then the three bodies have been in talks about the future management arrangements for the facility.

News of the cash injection comes as it was confirmed ownership of the centre will remain with the county council but future management responsibility will rest with the school. All of Harrogate Borough Council's staff currently working at the centre will be deployed into vacant posts within the authority.

County Coun John Watson, executive member for schools, said the leisure centre will be renovated during the spring and summer months.

'very important'

He said: "This is a very important sports and leisure facility in helping families to keep fit and healthy. This continued partnership - albeit with different management arrangements - will ensure that necessary improvements to equipment and buildings are maintained for the benefit of the whole community."

As part of improving services for young people across North Yorkshire, the county council now wishes to provide a permanent home for the Boroughbridge Youth Club by basing it at the leisure centre.

Among the other organisations which will also be using the improved facilities is the town's squash club.

Malcolm Cotton, secretary of Boroughbridge Squash Teams, had expressed fears that the teams – which play in the North Yorkshire and Harrogate District Leagues – could die on their feet if the transfer did not go smoothly.

He said it was important that the changes, which include the re-sanding of the two squash courts, went well because any delay could see squash players leaving the Boroughbridge club for rivals in the area.