Coronavirus: Leisure facilities, gyms and libraries among council facilities to reopen
Leisure facilities, gyms, libraries and select outdoor attractions managed by Shropshire Council can reopen from Monday 12 April 2021.
The facilities will reopen after the Government announced Step 2 of the roadmap out of the third Lockdown in England will go ahead, as its criteria had been met.
The reopening of sites includes Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, which will welcome customers once again from Thursday 15 April.
To keep service users, staff, volunteers and communities across Shropshire safe, COVID-19-secure measures will be in place at all sites.
Clare Featherstone, Shropshire council’s culture, leisure and tourism manager, said:
“The third Lockdown has been incredibly tough for us all and has really focused our minds on what we miss, including access to leisure and gym facilities and community facilities.
“We have worked hard to make sure our sites are safe to open to enable the people of Shropshire to exercise and access important community services.
“Our sites have been closed for a long time so we are really looking forward to beginning to reopen them and for customers to return.”
Libraries
Libraries across Shropshire will be reopening from Monday 12 April 2021.
Opening hours will be reduced for the time being and COVID-19-secure measures will be in place in all libraries to help keep staff, customers and local communities safe.
Library customers will be able to access computers, but are asked to book sessions in advance by contacting the relevant library.
In line with current Government guidance, physical events will not be running, but online events such as weekly rhyme and story times will continue.
We recognise that this continues to be a difficult time for many of us so fines for overdue items remain suspended.
For more information and to contact your local library, visit the website: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/
Leisure centres
Indoor facilities, gyms and swimming pools at leisure centres around the county will begin to reopen from Monday 12 April 2021.
Leisure centres managed by Shropshire Council are taking bookings for use of facilities now. Please contact your local leisure centre for further information and to book. Normal operating hours resume as from 12 April; in the meantime, phone lines will be open on Friday 9 April as follows:
Church Stretton Leisure Centre 01694 720051 9:00am – 1:00pm
SpArC Bishop’s Castle 01588 630243 9:00am – 4:30pm
Much Wenlock Leisure Centre 01952 727629 9:00am – 4:30pm
Swimming pools at SpArC (Bishop’s Castle), Church Stretton Leisure Centre and Much Wenlock Leisure Centre will open on 12 April with swimming lessons resuming from Monday 19 April at some sites.
Further details will be added to the website in due course at https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/leisure-services/find-a-leisure-centre/ or can be found by reading the Leisure Services newsletter at https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSHROPSHIRE/bulletins/2cac343?reqfrom=share
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm will reopen on Thursday 15 April, 2021 after being closed since November 2020.
Visitors will be able to get close to baby animals across the Farm with lambs and piglets recently joining the family.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces Acton Scott Historic Working Farm and its surrounding areas have to offer – let’s hope the weather befits the occasion! Refreshments will be available.
To keep visitors, staff and local communities safe, the same COVID-secure measures that proved so successful in 2020 will be in place across the site including one-way systems, social distancing and access to hand sanitiser.
Tickets must be booked online in advance to help us manage visitor numbers and keep everyone safe. To book your tickets, visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/acton-scott-historic-working-farm
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm will be open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 4.30pm.
For more information about Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, visit https://www.shropshiremuseums.org.uk/acton-scott/
Rapid testing kit collection locations (Lateral Flow Tests)
As well as reopening for wider public access, some Shropshire Council run libraries and leisure centres will be supporting COVID-19 testing effort in the county by becoming rapid testing kit collection points (Lateral Flow Tests).
Find out where you can collect your testing kits by visiting the council’s website:
http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/rapid-testing-in-shropshire/
