LEISURE centres are celebrating a successful reopening period after seeing new and returning members.

More than 5,000 members have visited Derwent Swim and Fitness Centre, Ryedale Sports Centre and Ryedale Swim and Fitness Centre since reopening on August 8.

A variety of measures have been introduced across the three facilities, including booking in advance, enhanced cleaning regimes and fewer swimming lessons to allow for both children and swimming teachers to social distance.

“The response we’ve received from our members has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re so pleased to see many new and returning members through our doors,” said Martin Miles, area manager at Everyone Active, which operates the centres on behalf of Ryedale District Council (RDC).

“Many of our activities, including swimming lessons, outdoor football and badminton, have returned and we are looking to reintroduce more activities over the coming months, including public swimming and indoor football.”

In March, the government announced that pools, gyms and sports facilities must close, as part of the lockdown response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The four-month closure had a financial impact on many leisure operators, including Everyone Active, creating uncertainty around the reopening of the three facilities.

RDC stepped in to underwrite a proportion of Everyone Active’s costs until the end of September – a move which allowed the council-owned centres to reopen in August.

“Everyone Active is gradually introducing additional swimming sessions to ensure that safety procedures are being met,” said a spokesperson from the RDC.

“Everyone Active will introduce additional swimming from the week commencing September 28.

“At the moment, there is four to five hours of bookable lane swimming each day.

“In addition, from September 28, they are planning to return limited family swimming to both swimming pools.”

Derwent and Pickering Swim & Fitness Centres offer both pool and gym facilities, while Ryedale Sports Centre has an outdoor artificial football pitch, along with inside gym and sports hall.

Visit everyoneactive.com.