Teignbridge leisure centres and indoor pools will be opening their doors to members Saturday 25 July, when Newton Abbot Leisure centre will open; followed by Broadmeadow on Monday (27 July) and Dawlish on Saturday 1 August. Leisure centre members are being asked to make sure they pre-book all their sessions online, as no walk-ins will be accepted.

Councillor Andrew MacGregor, Executive Member for leisure facilities, said: ’We’re really pleased to be welcoming our customers back to our leisure centres and indoor pools, and have worked hard to ensure we are making sure our customers and staff are able to enjoy the facilities safely, whether that’s using the pool, the gym or taking part in a class.

’Unfortunately the decision to allow pools and leisure centres to reopen has come too late for us to be able to open the Teignmouth Lido for the remainder of the season. This is because reinstating the facility will incur significant costs and time to ensure it is safe to use, and the building and surrounding grounds haven’t had their usual pre-season tidy up. Our staff will be focused on the reopening of the leisure centres and prioritising the management of a safe return for our staff and users there.

’We recognise how much local communities value the pool, and although it runs at a loss every year, we offset the running costs through income provided by other parts of leisure services. However this year we have lost significant money while the centres have been shut so have to minimise our losses, and the costs of bringing the pool back into use and the measures we would need to introduce to make it comply with covid regulations means it is just not possible for the remaining few weeks of the season.

’We know this will be disappointing news, but hope that the warm sea temperatures and beautiful beaches Teignbridge has to offer will encourage keen outdoor swimmers to try sea swimming instead, and we continue to fund RNLI lifeguard cover on our beaches at Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. And our two indoor pools, located at Newton Abbot and Dawlish leisure centres will both be open and welcoming swimmers back to the water.’

For further information please see the Teignbridge Leisure website. https://teignbridgeleisure.co.uk/reopening