High Life Highland is ready to bounceback again in Badenoch and Strathspey
Safety of its customers and staff remains the top priority, High Life Highland has said, as the charity gears up for a return to more action.
HLH is preparing to bring back many of its staff from furlough ahead of the Scottish Government’s expected confirmation that lockdown restrictions will be eased on April 26.
If all goes as planned then its leisure centres in the strath - Aviemore Community and Sports Centre in Aviemore, the Badenoch Centre in Kingussie and Granotwn's Craig MacLean Sports Centre - will open their doors from that date.
It is anticipated that indoor exercise classes will return from May 17.
Douglas Wilby, HLH's director of sport and leisure, said, “Our teams across our nine services are prepared and waiting for the announcement confirming the move from Level 4 to Level 3.
“We are ready for the First Minister’s final announcement that will give the ‘green light’ to the respective sections to start delivering activities and services to the communities across the Highlands.
Mr Wilby explained, “Our leisure teams have been providing outdoor classes since last month, which due to popularity have seen additional classes added.
"These sessions will continue until May 17, which is the expected date when it is hoped our indoor class programme can be resumed.
“In the meantime, leisure centres and swimming pools will reopen, on a pre-booking system on April 26.
"Customers and members can participate in swimming, attending the gym and children’s activities such as swimming lessons.
HLH operated visitor attractions inlcuding Ben Nevis Visitor Centre and Inverness Botanic Gardens will reopen to the public too from April 26 all being well.
Although numbers will be controlled, no booking will be required for these locations.
Mr Wilby said: “The outdoor teams that include our Countryside Rangers will be brought back on a phased approach from May 4 and will be focussing on the development of the summer programme in which children can participate during the school holidays.”
Libaries and other HLH services will also return from April 26 subject to lockdown easing.
John West, HLH's director of culture and learning, commented, “I am delighted that we are able to reintroduce our ‘tried and tested’ system of ‘click and collect’ from local libraries across the Highlands, meaning members of the community will once again get access to physical book borrowing from April 26.
“The following day, our archive services across the Highlands will resume, with services such as family history consultations already bookable online.
"The Inverness museum will also reopen on April 27 with the Highland Folk Museum opening shortly afterwards in May.”
Mr West has acknowledged the work of those who have continued to work throughout the pandemic.
He said: “We’ve had a high proportion of staff who have supported the delivery of services to customers throughout the lockdown period.
"These have included our sport, youth and adult education colleagues working with many of the most vulnerable in our communities who may otherwise have been left isolated during the very challenging periods in which we found ourselves.
“Our music instructors have continued to develop new ways of working throughout lockdown to support school pupils in the home learning environment; all of which have been extremely well received by parents.
“We also, of course, have our team of support staff who have worked since March last year to ensure essential back-of-house functions were maintained and ongoing support was available to colleagues."
Mr West added: "We very much look forward to welcoming our High Life Highland customers and members back to access our locations and services in the forthcoming weeks.
“We will continue to implement the various aspects of the Scottish Government’s route-map as we work with colleagues in Highland Council and NHS Highland to mitigate the spread of the virus and create safe and Covid-free locations across the Highlands.”
The charity said it will keep customers and members updated with any further developments through its website and social media channels.
