Frustration Growing Over Failure to Open Leisure Centres
Hounslow one of few boroughs in London that have failed to do so
The pool at Isleworth Leisure Centre
Local leisure centres remain unopened despite the fact that across London other facilities are back in action after being shut during the pandemic.
The council issued a statement earlier in the month about the continue closure which talked about ‘making progress’ and promising a subsequent update but no further information has been released. Leisure centres such as the Fountains in Brentford, New Chiswick Pool and the Isleworth Leisure Centre remain unavailable to local users.
The Government published revised guidance on 9 July that indoor gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools could reopen from 25 July if they were ready.
Cllr Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services at Hounslow Council said oon 14 August, “We continue to work closely with Fusion to develop plans for when and how the leisure centres and public halls in Hounslow will be able to reopen, in a way that fully complies with government guidance and ensures they are safe. We are making progress towards a phased re-opening but are unable to give specific dates at this time.
“We know this is very frustrating for our leisure centre customers. I would like to apologise for this ongoing delay and thank you for your patience in this matter. Please bear with us while we develop our plans. We hope to provide a further update later this month.”
She went onto say that leisure centres, swimming pools and public halls will only reopen when “we are absolutely certain it is safe to do so.”
She added that Fusion will be writing to all members and ‘further updates will be available as soon as they are agreed’.
Local centre users are frustrated about the failure to restore the facilities as neighbouring boroughs such as Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham started a phased reopening earlier this month. In Ealing gyms are operating with appropriate cleaning and social distancing and swimming pools are available for lane swimming if booked in advance. However, Ealing has announced that the Gurnell Leisure Centre will not be reopening as there is a plan to redevelop the facility.
Fusion Lifestyle, who manage all the council operated centres in the borough, have restarted operations in some of the other areas in which they work in partnership with local authorities.
Their web site says, “We know our leisure facilities are really important for our customer's health and well-being and we want them open again as soon as possible, so we hope that you will bear with us during this time. Please be assured, we are working closely with Local Councils to continue to assess the situation and will bring news to our customers as soon as possible.”
The District Council’s Network (DCN) which represents local authorities across the UK has said that, without a financial rescue package, many of their members believe that some leisure centres may not reopen.
August 21, 2020