WAVERLEY Borough Council has announced that leisure centres across the borough will re-open just under three weeks.

The council has been working together with Places Leisure – which manages the borough’s centres – to reopen them as quickly and safely as possible, following the governments announcement that leisure centres were clear to open from July 25.

Both parties are aiming to reopen all five of Waverley’s leisure centres on Monday, August 17. The financial aspects will be considered by Waverley’s Full Council on Tuesday, August 11, and subject to approval at this meeting, Places Leisure will then confirm to members the reopening date.

This will allow the leisure centre operator time to bring the required health and safety improvements into the leisure centres and train staff on the new procedures.

Changes to the centre include signage to ensure social distancing is respected, reduced activity capacities, an enhanced cleaning regime plus hand sanitising, and cleaning stations will be available. To increase customer safety, activity sessions will also need to be pre-booked via the Places Locker app or via the Places Leisure website.

Steve Little, Places Leisure, Waverley Contract Manager said: “We have missed our customers and we’re really excited to reopen as soon as possible. We are busy implementing new measures to make customers’ visits as safe and enjoyable as possible and we look forward to seeing you very soon”.

Councillor Liz Townsend, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Parks and Leisure, added: “We understand the benefits that being active has on everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing and that our residents and customers are eager to get back to using our great facilities, in a safe and clean environment. We are confident that Places Leisure are putting in place the necessary measures for everybody to exercise as safely as possible.”

For more information, see www.placesleisure.org