Swimming pools are re-opening in Harborough and Lutterworth after a five-month closure

Sport complexes are also re-opening today (Thursday)
People will be able to use the pool at Harborough Leisure Centre.People will be able to use the pool at Harborough Leisure Centre.
People will be able to use the pool at Harborough Leisure Centre.

Swimming pools are re-opening at sports complexes in Market Harborough and Lutterworth today (Thursday).

People will be able to use the popular pools at Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Sports Centre following the five-month Covid-19 closures.

They are back open for bookable lane swimming only with swimming lessons set to restart on Saturday August 22.

Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Sports Centre are both managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active alongside Harborough District Council.

Everyone Active said that lane swimming will operate in double-width lanes and the number of swimmers will be reduced.

“Capacity will be based on Swim England guidance and will be continually reviewed," said the leisure operator.

“All sessions must be booked online in advance – either through the website or app – so capacities can be managed.

“Sessions will be a maximum of 50 minutes long to allow cleaning of changing facilities.

“Where possible, we ask customers to arrive readily changed for the pool.”

Social distancing will be strictly managed and applied throughout the two centres and regular cleaning carried out.

You can find full details of Everyone Active’s measures here: https://www.everyoneactive.com/reopeningmeasuresWhile its 200 leisure centres across the country have been closed, Everyone Active launched online workouts for people to do on lockdown.

They also streamed live classes across its social media pages.

The company also pledged to donate half the cost of a membership to charity – The National Emergencies Trust – if customers continued to pay.

As a result the operator raised over £400,000 for those most in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Matt Hopkin, contract manager for Everyone Active, said: “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming back the local community.

“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 our customers and partners during these unprecedented times - and we are so grateful.”

He added: “Like many other industries, leisure has been greatly affected by the lockdown.

“By working in partnership with Harborough District Council, we’re pleased to say that we’ve been able to get our facilities safely back open as soon as possible.

“Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe is our number one priority.

“We have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone back and thanking them for their patience.”