LEISURE centres in East Hampshire are set to reopen this weekend, after being given the ‘green light’ by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Alton Sports Centre, Mill Chase Leisure Centre and Taro Leisure Centre, which are managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with East Hampshire District Council, will reopen their doors on Saturday, August 1.

The news comes after the facilities were forced to close for almost four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The swimming pool facilities at these centres will reopen shortly after, with a lane booking system in place. All customers will be communicated to directly regarding the details for reopening.

The Government update on July 9 confirmed leisure centres are now safe to reopen facilities, with strict operational measures in place. Everyone Active procedures will ensure social distancing is managed throughout the centres and regular cleaning is maintained. Full detail of the operator’s measures can be found at: https://www.everyoneactive.com/reopeningmeasures/

While its 200 leisure centres across the country have been closed, Everyone Active launched a comprehensive package of online workouts for people to do whilst on lockdown, along with streaming live classes across its social media pages.

It also pledged to donate half the cost of a membership to charity – The National Emergencies Trust – if customers continued to pay. Consequently, the operator raised more than £400k for those most in need during the pandemic.

David Love, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We’re very much looking forward to reopening the centres and welcoming back the local community.

"After being closed for nearly four months, this latest announcement from Government is the news the leisure industry has been eagerly awaiting.

"Giving people the opportunity to resume activity and exercise in their leisure centre will go a long way to maintaining the good health of local communities.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the support we have received from customers during these unprecedented times, and we’re so grateful. Like many other industries, leisure has been greatly affected by the lockdown.

“Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe is 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 thanking them for their patience.”

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC leader, said: “We are delighted to see the leisure centres re-open.

"We know that living an active lifestyle is as important for your physical health as it is for your mental wellbeing and so we are delighted these fantastic facilities are being made available to the public again.

“East Hampshire District Council has made a significant investment in leisure facilities in the district. It has funded the construction of two brand new centres, in Alton and Whitehill & Bordon, and the refurbishment of the Taro Leisure Centre in Petersfield.

“The new leisure centre at Alton had only been open for a few months when the lockdown caused it to close.

"However contractors were able to get back on site during May to continue the demolition of the old centre. At the same time work on the brand new leisure centre in Whitehill & Bordon continues.

“Delivering more than £30 million of new leisure facilities during times of tight financial constraints is a challenge that has been made harder by the coronavirus pandemic and the interruption to income that it brought, but we are thrilled to be able to see the centres open their doors once again.”

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