PLANS to gradually reopen St Helens’ leisure centres have been revealed – although they won’t be welcoming back members of the public next Saturday.

All council-maintained leisure centres in St Helens closed on March 20, as the UK government ramped up measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently announced indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities could reopen from Saturday, July 25 as part of the country’s recovery from COVID-19.

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However, St Helens Borough Council has confirmed that it will begin to open up its leisure facilities on Monday, July 27, as part of a phased return.

The reopening will be done over three phases, across two weeks, with measures in place in all of the borough’s leisure centres to keep visitors and staff safe.

On Monday, July 27, Parr Swimming and Fitness Centre will open its gym and both Queens Park and Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness will open their gyms and exercise classes.

The following week on Monday, August 3, Queens Park and Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness will open their swimming pools.

The final phase will take place on Monday, August 10, and will see Ruskin Sports Village, Sutton Leisure Centre and Newton-le-Willows-Health and Fitness will open their outdoor facilities (grass pitches, artificial turf pitches and track).

Sutton Leisure Centre, Queens Park and Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness will also open their sports halls.

No date has been set for recommencing swimming lessons or opening Willowbees Adventure Play, based at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness.

A series of safety measures will be been introduced at all leisure centres, such one way systems;
Perspex screens on reception counters; and sanitising stations throughout the facilities.
Only pre-booked visits will be permitted and only card transactions will be accepted.

To limit the number of face to face interactions, all gym inductions will be made available through online video tutorials, with membership sign up also moved to this method.

Toilet access will be available, but on government advice, changing rooms will only be available to customers with disabilities and additional needs for the time being.

In addition, Go Active will also continue to offer its online class content, which has seen thousands of people taking part in various fitness classes in recent months.

St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for public health, leisure, libraries, arts and heritage, Cllr Anthony Burns, said: “It is recognised nationally the key role sport and physical activity will play in the recovery from this pandemic.

“It is a key priority for the council helping people in our communities to improve their physical and mental health. Our leisure centres are central to this aim and provide an excellent environment to help keep us physically and mentally healthy.

“Our leisure centres welcome more than a million visitors a year, generating much needed income to the council, so I’m delighted that a number of our facilities will be reopening their doors in a phased return as we adapt to the ‘new normal.’

“Speaking of adaptation, our leisure service staff have been sensational throughout this pandemic, continuing to provide a quality service which has seen a huge uptake in virtual classes via social media.

“The amount of positive feedback we have had about this is fantastic – while many of the Go Active team have also been involved with the community hub which in itself is inspirational.

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“Members of the public are certainly in safe hands when visiting our leisure centres, which is largely down to the genuinely caring and dedicated team we have in place – and we look forward to welcoming you down once again.”

Since leisure centres closed in March, the council has carried out improvement and upgrade works at a number of its sites, while design work has also commenced for the recommissioning of the swimming pool at Sutton Leisure Centre.

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