Final preparations underway to reopen Tendring leisure centres

Leisure centres in Tendring are making final preparations ready to re-open later this month.

With the Government now giving the go-ahead for the facilities to open their doors following closure during lockdown, the Tendring District Council-run sites will open to the public from Monday, 27 July.

More detailed guidance will be issued next week, but those looking to visit the facilities when they re-open are being reminded that changes will be in place for their safety.

All sessions must be booked in advance, so that numbers can be managed, with restricted opening hours in place to allow for deep cleaning. Bookings can be made at https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/leisure/leisure-centres-and-pools from Monday 20 July, or by calling the relevant centre reception from Monday 27 July.

There will be no changing or shower facilities for gym or dry-side users, visitors should bring their own water bottles, and not bring towels to avoid cross-contamination. Hand sanitiser stations are in place along with screens to protect staff.

For the first month over-16s only can use the facilities, as users and staff adapt to the new ways of operating, but this will be regularly reviewed over the summer holidays.

Members can have free access during August as a thank you and in lieu of the days in March which they missed out on. From September memberships will be at 50% rate as not all services will be available, with this policy to be reviewed monthly as government and industry restrictions change. Individual casual prices will remain the same.

Alex Porter, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said the centres would be ready to accept people back.

“We have been preparing since mid-June to re-open, so our centres and staff are raring to go and help people to keep fit and healthy,” Cllr Porter said.

“We’ll be putting out some more detailed guidance in the next week so people know what to expect when they return, so keep an eye out for that on our website and on the Tendring Leisure Centres Facebook page.

“I would ask that as well as following the safety measures which are in place, that everyone is kind and respectful to our staff; this is new to us all, and we will have to adapt as put the new measures into practice, so please bear with us.”

14/7/2020

NEWSDESKS

For more information on this news release contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.

Attached image shows some of the measures in place in readiness for re-opening. Picture: Matt Cattermole/TDC