Leisure centres have been given the green light to reopen later this month, but it is not yet clear when most of north Norfolk’s centres will make a comeback.
The privately owned Rossis leisure centre in North Walsham is introducing measures so it can reopen on July 25. But no date has yet been given for the reopening of Splash in Sheringham, or the other centres Everyone’s Active runs on behalf of North Norfolk District Council.
Splash’s roof was damaged during Storm Ciara in February. The pool was closed for repairs, but the centre’s gym and sports park remained open until the lockdown was announced, when all centres closed.
But Stuart Jardine, contract manager for Everyone Active’, which runs the centre, said no date had yet been set reopening Splash, or Fakenham Sports and Fitness Centre, North Walsham Sports Centre, Stalham Sports Centre, Cromer Sports Centre or Victory Swim and Fitness Centre in North Walsham.
Mr Jardine said: “We’re delighted to be given the go-ahead to reopen leisure centres, following the latest announcement from government. After being closed for nearly four months, this good news is what 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’re currently liaising with all our local authority partners – including North Norfolk District Council - on the specific plans for reopening each of our centres.
“We are pleased to announce that the recent works at Splash Leisure and Fitness Centre are now complete. However, the dates for when we reopen all of our centres in North Norfolk are dependent on our discussions with local authority partners. We hope to be able to confirm a date soon.”
Rossis is planning to open its gym, pool and squash courts initially to members only, who would be required to book online or by phone before their visit.
Jon Goodyear, head of operations, said: “We want to make sure our members get priority first.
“They will be able to book one-hour gym slots, which will give us 15 minutes in between the slots to deep clean the gym. We’ll also have staff going around sterilizing the equipment during the sessions, and the gym equipment is being spaced out.
“The same goes for the pool - they will be able to book 45 minutes slots, with a maximum of four in the gym at a time.”
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