Leisure centres owned by East Northants Council to reopen from Saturday

East Northamptonshire Council’s leisure centres will start to re-open from this Saturday.

The Pemberton Centre in Rushden will be the first to re-open onJuly 25 followed by the facilities, including swimming pools, at the Nene Centre in Thrapston and Splash Pool in Rushden on August 1.

All three were closed during the pandemic and are re-opening after the authority agreed a £205,000 rescue bailout for Freedom Leisure, the management company that runs the leisure contract.

Leader of East Northamptonshire Council Cllr Steven North said: “The importance of remaining healthy and active has been further highlighted by the impact of coronavirus so we are delighted that we will be able to re-open all of our leisure centres over the next two weeks so our residents can return to the many activities on offer. The teams at ENC and Freedom Leisure have worked hard together to ensure this happens, and measures are in place to ensure customers are kept safe and current guidance around social distancing is adhered to.

“We want to make sure everything is ready for our residents, which is why we will be opening the facilities across the district in two phases and look forward to welcoming you back to one of our centres very soon.”

Ivan Horsfall-Turner, managing director Freedom Leisure, added: “Freedom Leisure is delighted to be reopening The Pemberton Centre in Rushden on July 25 and the other two centres on August 1. Our teams are working hard to make sure the centres are ready and waiting to welcome back the local community, and we look forward to seeing everyone very soon.”

Visitors to all three of the centres will be asked to book to use facilities via Freedom before attending and be required to leave contact details for track and trace purposes.

The council is asking anyone wishing to visit the leisure centres to come ‘swim or gym’ ready, though changing rooms will be open for limited use.

Users can visit www.freedom-leisure.co.uk to check individual centre opening hours and for the most up to date information, including booking for use of facilities and hygiene guidance.

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