The Sunderland leisure centres due to reopen on July 25 as lockdown restrictions are eased

A number of Wearside's leisure centres are set to reopen their gyms on Saturday, July 25, after almost four months of closure.

The confirmation comes from sports and leisure operator Everyone Active, which manages the facilities on behalf of Sunderland City Council.

The Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre and Washington Leisure Centre, will reopen their gyms and group exercise studios on July 25.

When they reopen, measures will be in place to ensure social distancing is managed throughout the centres and regular cleaning is maintained.

However other facilities – including swimming pools – will remain closed, with re-opening dates announced in the coming weeks.

Raich Carter Sports Centre, Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre, Houghton Sports and Leisure Centre and Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope will not reopen initially, however a date for their reopening will be confirmed soon.

Ian Bradgate, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: "Giving people the opportunity to resume activity and exercise in their leisure centre will go a long way to maintaining the good health of local communities.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the support we have received from customers during these unprecedented times, and we’re so grateful.

“Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe is our number one priority and we have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance.

"We will be contacting all customers directly over the coming days regarding the centres reopening.”

Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, Councillor John Kelly said: "We know that many people have been looking forward to leisure facilities reopening and since the Government announcement.

"Everyone Active have been working hard to make sure that all the necessary measures are in place to allow consideration to reopen safely.

"Covid-19 is still very much with us and it's only by working together and all playing our part that we can hope to protect ourselves and others so it’s really important that people carry on observing social distancing and washing their hands more often for longer."

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