Badenoch and Strathspey's three public leisure centres to reopen at end of month
Badenoch and Strathspey's three sports centres are expected to open their doors at the end of this month.
High Life Highland has expressed delight at today’s unexpected announcement from the First Minister that gyms and swimming pools can reopen from August 31.
Steve Walsh, HLH Chief Executive, said the public facilities they operate in the region will be ready to open.
The Scottish Government had previously said pools and gyms had to remain closed until September 14.
The Highland Council arms length charity runs the Craig Maclean Centre in Grantown, the Badenoch Centre in Kingussie and the Aviemore Community Centre.
Mr Walsh commented: “I am absolutely delighted with the news that we are able to welcome our customers back earlier than we had first thought. "We have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes in preparation for September and I am pleased to be able to confirm that we are ready and raring to go from Monday 31st August.”
High Life Highland operate gyms and swimming pools across the Highlands all of which have been closed since March 20.
Mr Walsh continued: “The announcement today is what we have all been waiting for and is the most significant step in our bounceback campaign so far.
"We have had to make changes to the way we operate to accommodate enhanced cleaning, one-way systems, social distancing measures and booking systems, but we are most certainly ready-to-go.
“We will be in contact with our customers over next few days to let them know what to expect when they visit one of our centres."
HLH will be able to bring staff back from furlough leave.
Mr Walsh added: “On August 31 we take a massive step towards normality for both our customers and staff who I know have been keen to return to their local venues.
"I would therefore take this opportunity to thank them all for their patience and understanding during these very unprecedented times.”
