Leisure centres set to reopen across the city

Published: 10 September 2020

Exeter’s leisure centres are set to reopen in the coming weeks following extensive work to ensure they are safe to use.

A phased reopening will take place from September and each centre will be run under the direct management of the City Council rather than being outsourced to a private company.

The plan is to reopen the centres on the following dates, provided the necessary COVID security measures are complete:

• ISCA Centre and Exeter Arena – 28 September
• Wonford Sports Centre and Northbrook Swimming Pool – 5 October
• Pyramids Swimming Pool and Riverside (dry-side) – 12 October

Current memberships were frozen during lockdown. These were opened up again on 1 September, but there will be no charge for existing members until at least 1 January 2021.

That means current members can pre-book to use our leisure centres from when they reopen until the end of the year absolutely free of charge. Information about new memberships at reduced rates will be available shortly.

Council Leader Phil Bialyk said he was delighted that the centres will reopen shortly, under the direct management of the City Council.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone for their patience as we get these centres reopened. The health and safety of staff and customers is our top priority, and a lot of work is taking place to ensure that they are safe to use.

“This is a fresh start for our leisure centres, and it is great that the service has been taken back in-house by the Council.

“Our aim is to create top class facilities for the people of Exeter, as part of our drive to remain one of the healthiest and most active locations in the country.”

More details of which facilities will be available in each centre can be found on the centre’s page on the council’s website

Government guidance is being used to safely reopen facilities and to ensure the necessary measures are in place so that when people return, they are able to enjoy them with confidence.

Each centre, and the facilities within it, require detailed assessments to ensure they are completely safe for staff and users.

More details on the Council’s leisure centres are available on the website