City leaders working towards the reopening of sport centres
Sunderland’s leaders have said they are working towards re opening sport centres which remain closed despite the easing of the lockdown and relaunch of sister sites.
Pool sat Silks worth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre, Washington Leisure Centre and Hetton Community Pool started to welcome back swimmers from Saturday, August 22, joining their gyms and group exercise studios, which relaunched in July.
The facilities at Hetton Community Pool and Leisure Centre reopened on the same day.
But the Raich Carter Centre in Hendon remains boarded up, with no word on when it will welcome back customers, while Houghton Sports Centre also remains closed.
The city’s ski slope, which is part of the Silksworth site, is also still shut.
Everyone Active, which runs the city’s leisure facilities on behalf of Sunderland City Council, has said their relaunch depends on their “commercial viability”.
A council spokesperson said in a statement: “As part of the joint venture between the city council and Everyone Active, we are working on a phased approach to reopening leisure facilities.
“This is to ensure the safety of users and Raich Carter’s reopening is under review as part of this approach."
A spokesperson for Eve
ryone Active added: “Raich Carter Sports Centre, Houghton Sports and Lei-
sure Centre and Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope will remain closed for the
time being. We are working with Sunderland City Council to determine the reopening plans for the centre. These discussions are dependent on the feasibility of maintaining social distancing within the building and the commercial viability of its reopening.
"We are working to reopen the centre as soon as possible and will keep customers informed of our plans accordingly.”
It added is considering making energysaving schemes and “minor improvements and decoration” to Sunderland Aquatic Centre when asked whether its plumbing system and changing room hair dryers would be updated, adding it was unable to confirm further details.
Its gym has re opened, while its pool will be closed until next month while its roof is repaired.