Two sports centres in Badenoch and Strathspey should 'open in next few weeks'
Public sports centres in Aviemore and Grantown are expected to open their doors to customers in the coming two weeks.
It follows an agreement being reached between operator High Life Highland and Highland Council over access to facilities which adjoin school premises.
The council's arms length charity said that the affected centres will open over 'the first few weeks of September'.
The Badenoch Centre in Kingussie will open on Monday as it is a standalone facility.
Discussions will now be held with the headteachers at Aviemore Primary School and Grantown Grammar School for exact timings for the community centre in Aviemore and Strathspey's capital's Craig MacLean Sports Centre.
Ian Ross, High Life Highland’s chairman, said he was delighted public access had now been secured to the community facilities located in schools across the region.
Following the agreement being reached, he said, “Since the start of the pandemic in March, the phrase, ‘we are all in this together’ may have become somewhat overused.
"However, the arrangements that HLH has managed to reach in discussion with colleagues in Highland Council demonstrates it is every bit as accurate today as it was six months ago”.
“The board and I fully appreciate and support the council’s decision to limit non-school staff entering schools and prioritising the safety of pupils as they returned to full-time education.
"However, I am extremely pleased that we have agreement whereby HLH will now start discussions with individual head teachers that will enable our staff to access the school estate and commence the process of preparing the community sites which had been temporarily 'reserved' for educational purposes.
“On this basis, I understand our staff will be granted access starting next week, and we are therefore looking forward to being able to have all HLH leisure, swimming and fitness sites opening over the first few of weeks of September.”
Mr Ross added: "We are aware that such a long period of absence away from indoor physical activity has been a challenge for some, including many of the most vulnerable in our communities.
"Therefore, I would thank the council for working with us to support and enable the charity in restoring some levels of normality to many individuals and families across the Highlands.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unexpectedly announced August 31 for the reopening of indoor leisure centres and pools – bring the date forward by two weeks.
HLH said talks were then accelerated with the council to consider ways in which the public could gain access to community facilities located within school premises.
Councillor John Finlayson, chair of the council's education committee, said: “The council’s primary focus for the school estate was to get pupils safely back in the buildings and returning to full-time education.
"However, the council was also fully aware of the importance around communities gaining access to local leisure and recreation facilities in order to support individual physical and mental health and well-being”.
“I am pleased that the council has been able to work with colleagues in High Life Highland in order to enable the necessary arrangements to be made giving its staff access to schools.
"This will therefore allow High Life cardholders and customers to safely access community facilities located in schools.”
Customers will be required to use an online booking system to access all indoor leisure and recreation activities.
Further details can be found on highlifehighland.com or local leisure centre social media pages.
