Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre announces re-opening date

Leisure centres in Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted will re-open this weekend, after being given the 'green light' by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Both leisure centres, which are managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council, will reopen their gyms and group exercise studios on Saturday, July 25.

A gym session booking system will be in place to manage social distancing within the centre.

Swimming pools at both centres will reopen from Wednesday, July 29, with a lane booking system in place.

Swimming lessons will re-start from August 1, - all customers will be communicated to directly regarding the details for reopening.

The outdoor pool at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre will remain closed for the remainder of the season and will reopen again for summer 2021, due to the six-week preparation work required.

Jarman Park Athletics Track is now also open to the general public, after reopening on Monday, July 6, following Government approval.

The centres have been closed for almost four months due to the coronavirus pandemic, after the Government instructed all leisure centres across England close on March 20.

The Government update on July 9, confirmed leisure centres were now safe to reopen facilities from July 25, with strict operational measures in place.

Everyone Active procedures will ensure social distancing is managed throughout the centres and regular cleaning is maintained. Full detail of the operator’s measures can be found at www.everyoneactive.com/reopeningmeasures.

Whilst its 200 leisure centres across the country have been closed, Everyone Active launched a comprehensive package of online workouts for people to do whilst on lockdown, along with streaming live classes across its social media pages.

It also pledged to donate half the cost of a membership to charity – The National Emergencies Trust – if customers continued to pay. The operator raised over £400,000 for those most in need during the pandemic.

Steve Cox, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We’re very much looking forward to reopening the centres and welcoming back the local community.

"After being closed for nearly four months, this latest announcement from Government is the news 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’ve been overwhelmed with the support we have received from customers during these unprecedented times, and we’re so grateful.

"Like many other industries, leisure has been greatly affected by the lockdown.

"Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe is our number one priority and we have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance.

"We will be contacting all customers directly over the coming days regarding the centres reopening. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and thanking them for their patience.”