LEISURE centres are getting ready to open their doors once again following the Government’s latest announcement.

A phased re-opening of centres will begin on Saturday, July 25 with Robin Park Leisure Centre and Howe Bridge Leisure Centre welcoming visitors to its gyms and classes.

Further centres, including Leigh and Hindley Pool, will open the following week on Saturday, August 1 along with all other pools.

Hindley Leisure Centre will re-open on Saturday, August 8. Pools will open with lane swimming, family swim sessions and aqua-aerobics.

The Learn to Swim programme will resume in September. 

Racket sports will also be available at Leigh and Hindley Leisure Centres.

Plans are in place to ensure the safety of all customers and staff with new rules and layouts within the buildings.

New directional signage has been placed around each site, kit has been spaced in the gyms and class sizes are smaller. 

New contactless systems are in place for entering the facilities and all payments will be cashless.

A new booking system has been put in place for gyms, swimming, racket sports and classes as booking a time slot is now necessary to limit the number of people in each building at a time.

Pete Burt, Managing Director of Inspiring healthy lifestyles, said: “We are looking forward to opening our leisure centres again and to welcome people back to our gyms, pools and classes.

“The safety of our staff and members is our number one priority and we have worked hard to put full health and hygiene measures in place. We know people are keen to get back onto exercise and we thank everyone for their cooperation and patience as we open in a way that is safe for everyone.”

Professor Kate Ardern, director of public health at Wigan Council said: “The decision to begin the process of reopening our leisure centres was taken following extensive conversations with our colleagues at Inspiring healthy lifestyles and consideration of government guidance.

“Risk assessments have been completed and we are pleased with how the centres have been adapted to ensure they are Covid-19 compliant.

“We ask those using our leisure centres to be respectful of others and to keep their distance, while also regularly washing or sanitising their hands.”

Coun Jim Moodie, lead member for leisure at Wigan Council said: “The reopening of our leisure centres is a significant step forward towards some kind of normality, but remaining vigilant is key to ensuring we are able to minimise spread of the virus.

“We thank the public for their patience during this time and for their enthusiasm over recent weeks to use parks and open space as a way to exercise safely.”

New measures introduced to allow members the space to work out safely means that the gym at Hindley will not open immediately due to its size and the space in the changing areas, which are not big enough for social distancing.

Gym members are being asked to attend any of the other leisure centres in the borough until further restrictions are lifted.