Fife sports centres to re-open in phased return from lockdown

Sports centres across Fife will start to re-open next month.

The Scottish Government’s easing of restrictions as part of its route map out of lockdown means the facilities will be back in business from September 14 - six months after they were forced to close.

Fife Sports And Leisure Trust, which manages a host of centres and swimming pools across the region, will launch a phased return which will take some six weeks to complete.

It confirmed the doors will re-open on September 14 at its biggest venues - including Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes; Carnegie Leisure Centre and Pitreavie Athletics Centre, in Dunfermline, and Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre.

They will be followed on Monday, September 28 by East Sands Leisure Centre, Levenmouth Swimming Pool and Sports Centre, Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre and Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre.

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The next phase will see Duloch Leisure Centre, Cupar Leisure Centre, Bowhill Swimming Pool and Waterstone Crook Leisure Centre welcoming customers on Monday, October 12, followed by the Beacon Leisure Centre on Monday, October 26.

The trust will be releasing details of its online booking system, programme timetables and new customer app over the coming weeks so that customers can easily access facilities with the new Covid measures in place.

Emma Walker, chief executive, welcomed the return to business after six months of lockdown.

She said: “The indication that gyms and leisure centres may open from the end of the month is welcome, but the short notice period suits smaller, private providers rather than larger organisation like the trust.

“Two weeks’ notice to ramp up the range of facilities managed by the trust is too short notice after six months of mothballing centres.

“Although our sites are ready, it takes a significant level of preparation to make facilities, such as swimming pools under the new Covid regulations, available to the public.

“So, we will re-open on September 14 with adequate staffing levels – as some of our staff are still furloughed – and, teams who have received the necessary training in Covid protocols, along with booking systems and programmes fully available for our customers.”

She added: “We understand customers will be eager to get back to their local leisure centres and we would appeal for understanding as we step up preparations as quickly and as safely as we can.”

www.fifeleisure.org.uk

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