Tenterden Leisure Centre reopens

Photo courtesy of Cllr Sue Ferguson

Tenterden Leisure Centre reopened its doors on Saturday 25 July, with staff on hand to welcome back customers and advise them on the new measures in place to allow safe usage of the facilities following the Government allowing leisure centres to reopen from last weekend.

Serco has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure users’ safety and there will be restricted capacity at the facility as a result but the majority of activities will still be on offer. Workout classes, lane swimming for adults aged 16+, and changing rooms have reopened, along with a reduced strength/weights training area in the gym. Other facilities remain closed, including the leisure waters and flumes so casual swimming for families and children is currently unavailable.

Landlord Ashford Borough Council worked in partnership with Tenterden Leisure Centre Trust (the tenant of the leisure centre building and operator of the facilities) and Serco (the Trust’s agent running the leisure centre day to day) to ensure the leisure centre re-opened as soon as it was allowed to on 25 July.

Ashford Borough Council has agreed to underwrite the financial impact of COVID-19 on the business as the centre is unlikely to be fully operational for many months. This is a significant financial investment from the council to ensure the facilities remain open for residents across the borough.

Serco has agreed to extend their care of the leisure centre by up to a year to allow the council and the trust time to procure a new contract for running the centre in future.

Customers are reminded of the need to pre-book some activities, so refer to the Freedom Leisure website or call the centre on 01580 765987 for more details.