Melton’s leisure centres can reopen later this month

With coronavirus infections under control, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced this afternoon (Thursday) that all indoor gyms, swmmming pools and sport facilities can reopen on that date.

Deep cleaning will be carried out on equipment to make it Covid-safe and social distancing will be expected to remain in place.

No confirmation has yet been made on whether Melton’s leisure centres, together with others across the borough, will open on that date.

But Everyone Active, which operates town leisure centres on behalf of Melton Borough Council, say it will announce soon when it will reopen venues in the town.

A statement from the company reads: “We are aware of the latest government announcement regarding the reopening of leisure centres from July 25.

“Rest assured, we’re busy liaising with all our local authority partners on our plans for reopening centres.”

The borough council Tweeted following the announcement to say: “We are pleased to hear the news today that indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities are going to be able to open from July 25.

“We will be working with Everyone Active on what that means for Waterfield and the Sports Village.”

Gerald Vernon Jackson, chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: “It is great news that gyms and leisure centres can reopen, and many people will be hugely excited about being able to safely visit them again.

“Being active is crucial to the fight against obesity, inactivity and poor mental health, and we know that the lockdown has increased physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits for some families.

“Many leisure providers are in serious financial jeopardy as a result of months of lockdown and the expensive cost of maintaining closed facilities, particularly those with swimming pools.

“Although able to access the Job Retention Scheme they have had very little other financial support and a financial support package is needed to stabilise them.

“Having had to furlough staff and faced with uncertainty about when they might be able to reopen, providers have been unable to prepare.

“This means it may take a bit of time to reopen some facilities in line with government guidance and to ensure the right measures in place to maintaining social distancing and safe use.

“They will no doubt move as fast as they can to reopen. Residents should keep an eye on council websites and social media channels to find out when their local leisure facilities are open.”

Cricket clubs can also resume matches from this weekend in a further boost for the sporting community across the borough.

Mr Dowden also announced that spas, beauticians, tattooists, tanning salons and other close contact services can reopen, subject to some restrictions on particularly high-risk services, from Monday.