Press Release

24 July 2020

Leisure centres to reopen in Fareham

Everyone Active, who operate Council-owned Fareham Leisure Centre and Holly Hill Leisure Centre has confirmed they will reopen both leisure centres to the public from Wednesday 29th July for gym use and group exercise. The swimming pools will reopen to the public from 1st August.

The decision to reopen follows agreement in principle of a Covid-19 recovery deal between Everyone Active and Fareham Borough Council of up to £1.83 million.

A report, published on the Council’s website later today (Friday), will seek approval from the Council’s Executive for agreement in principle to the funding. It also asks the Executive to proceed with the planned capital expenditure of £6.81 million to enhance the leisure facilities at both centres.

The two figures amount to a huge sum totalling more than £8.5 million which is a significant investment from the Council and reflects the importance it places on leisure for the community.

Cllr Sue Bell, Executive Member for Leisure and Community said: ‘As has been widely reported, leisure centres across the country have lost a huge amount of income and, to date, the Government has not announced any financial support packages specifically for them. Over the past few weeks the Council has been working closely with Everyone Active, the operator of both leisure centres, to understand the level of support they need to continue to ensure leisure facilities are available for all our residents to enjoy.
‘My report also sets out our plans for improvements to the leisure centres, particularly Fareham Leisure Centre which, having served the community for 40 years, will benefit from the exciting changes proposed by Everyone Active.’
David Bibby, Everyone Active’s Managing Director, commented: “The new investment and recovery deal includes significant investments that will help to create improved opportunities for people to be active. I am delighted that we are able to work with Fareham Borough Council to support these visions.
“We are delighted to be extending our work with Fareham Borough Council. The leisure centres are pivotal in providing a wide range of facilities to the community and engaging people from all backgrounds in exercise.”

In November 2019 Everyone Active was awarded the contract to continue to manage the Council’s leisure centres until 2030.

The report outlining the proposals can be read on the Council’s website: https://moderngov.fareham.gov.uk/documents/s24295/Covid%2019%20Recovery%20Plan%20Objectives%20and%20Framework.pdf.

ENDS