LEISURE centres in Tavistock and Okehampton will reopen tomorrow.

Fusion Lifestyle and West Devon Borough Council announced this evening that Meadowlands Leisure Centre and Parklands Leisure Centre will open again once lockdown ends tonight.

The area is under Tier 2 restrictions and the centres will be operating under new government guidelines. The gyms and swimming pools at the centres will be open and will also be offering group exercise, outdoor and indoor sports.  All junior activities for under 18s and activities for those with disabilities are unaffected. 

The centres will continue to operate in line with government safety guidelines and those planning to visit will be required to book and pay online, minimising contact required at the centre and allowing for the track and trace process to be implemented.  Gym users will be asked to arrive ready to work out, and swimmers with their costumes under their clothes, ready to go.  These measures, combined with meticulous cleaning routines, are designed to keep customers safe and offer complete confidence to use the facilities and classes when they return to the centre.

The importance of exercise was emphasised by the Government’s chief health officer Professor Chris Whitty at ukactive’s Nation Summit this year who said: “As we come out of the Covid crisis, it’s very important we try to get people who’ve got out of the habit of regular exercise back into a situation where they’re doing so, and encourage others who’ve taken up exercise in a way they previously hadn’t to continue to do so.’

Speaking about the importance of being physically active at all ages, he added: ‘It is central to a happy and healthy old age that people continue to exercise. It is also extremely important to provide opportunities for those with mental or physical disabilities to be physically active.’

Anthony Cawley, Director of Operations at Fusion said: ‘We can’t wait to welcome the community back from December 2 to enjoy keeping fit and healthy.  Keeping active has never been more important and we are ready to open our doors.  We will continue to offer our Fusion at Home service for those unable to get to a centre to everyone can continue to enjoy their regular fitness fixes.”

Cllr Tony Leech, West Devon’s Lead member for health and well-being said: ‘While we are all disappointed that under the new restrictions, we find ourselves in Tier 2, which will have an adverse impact on our economy, I am pleased to see that the importance of health and leisure has been recognised.

‘Although we fully understand that we have to do our very best to control the virus, the national restrictions in November came in at a time when both Parklands and Meadowlands had reopened, and the figures for those using the centres were on the rise. Fusion has been working very hard to make sure that our centres are Covid secure, and these safety measures remain in place, which will enable everyone to exercise safely again when the centres open next week.”

The centres will be open daily, please refer to the centre websites for full details on available activities and opening hours.