Reopening date for local leisure centres announced

Local leisure centres in Stratford District are set to reopen from Monday 12 April, after receiving the government's go ahead for Step 2 of the roadmap.

Stratford Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre, Studley Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, will reopen their doors following a three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Government confirmed on Monday 5 April that leisure centres would be safe to reopen with strict operational measures in place. This is the latest stage of the four-step roadmap plan and follows the reopening of several outdoor activities at Everyone Active sites on Monday 29 March.

The Government's roadmap includes detail on which facilities can reopen within each step, meaning some may not be available at the centre in the first instance. For details about which facilities can reopen in each step and the latest guidance, click here.

Everyone Active has committed to keeping its customers safe and active, ensuring it will meet and exceed Government guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 with the Everyone Active Pledge. Full detail on the operator's pledge and safety measures can be found here.

While its 200 leisure centres across the country have been closed, Everyone Active has provided a comprehensive package of online workouts for people to use, along with live streamed classes across its social media pages.

Alex Fuoco-Lang, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We're very much looking forward to reopening our centres and welcoming back the local community.

"After being closed for three months, the latest step in the Government's Roadmap is a positive move forward for the leisure industry and gives people of all ages the opportunity to resume activity and exercise in their leisure centre.

"Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe continues to be our number one priority and we have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance.

"We will be contacting all customers directly over the coming days regarding the centres reopening. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and thank them for their patience."

Cllr Ian Shenton, Operations Portfolio at Stratford District Council says: "I welcome the reopening of our five Leisure Centres. Throughout this pandemic, the one thing that has been made perfectly clear is the importance of physical activity for people's health and well-being.  Studies show that keeping active and physically fit can help reduce the severity of Covid-19 infection and can help us cope mentally with the challenges of the pandemic.

"We have superb facilities and I want to welcome existing and new members back into our excellent facilities and reassure them that whilst some activities may not be available initially due to restrictions, they will be exercising in the knowledge that it is in a clean and safe environment."

For further information on Everyone Active and its leisure centres, visit www.everyoneactive.com.