CORONAVIRUS: Leisure centres 'need urgent Government cash'

GM Active, the regional body which runs 12 primarily 'public-owned' leisure centres and wellbeing organisations around Greater Manchester, is calling for a cash injection to protect the future of the sector and those who use it.

Children’s swimming lessons, older people’s fitness and medical rehabilitation support for patients, are also among the services provided through GM Active.

Without extra cash GM Active fears leisure services will face an uphill struggle to surmount the financial costs incurred by the Covid-19 outbreak.

These services, the body adds, are integral to keeping people fit and healthy, in light of the public health crisis.

Peter Burt, chairman of GM Active

Peter Burt, chairman of GM Active, said: “It’s vital that everyone is fully-aware about the health, social and economic benefits that the community leisure sector brings. These are not luxuries.

"We hope central Government funding can be found to address the funding issues this year to spring 2021."

Unlike commercial fitness facilities, many GM Active organisations have not-for-profit or charitable status.

This prevents them from building-up large cash reserves, the body explained.

Instead, any profits generated by GM Active are reinvested back into services and communities.

During lockdown much of the organisations' leisure facilities were forced to close.

However, many staff voluntarily continued to work in their respective communities.

With venues set to reopen from this weekend, new Government approved social distancing and hygiene measures will be in place.

Children’s physical and mental health is vital in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, GM Active says

But with incomes lost during the lockdown, coupled with increased expenditure from operating socially distanced and reduced capacity leisure amenities ­— costs are only going to mount up, GM Active says.

The body is consequently urging MPs, partners, stakeholders and the public to lobby the Government for funding specifically for community leisure services.

Nationally, the Community Leisure UK organisation has suggested the Government issue a relief package of £775 million.

Mr Burt said: “Looking ahead, community leisure centres and gyms will help the nation get fitter.

"Our services are vital to help people recover from Covid-19, through strengthening their lungs and breathing, and boosting other people’s resilience, so they can cope better if they contract the virus this autumn or winter.

“Children’s physical and mental health is also vital.

"Youngsters across the UK have been inactive and socially restricted for months.

"They still have the summer holiday season ahead and community leisure services can improve their activity levels, weight, health and social opportunities to enjoy fun, healthy lives.”

Older people’s fitness and medical rehabilitation support for patients are among the services provided through GM Active

As leisure centres reopen, Mr Burt added that all GM Active staff and facilities are ready to get back to work safely.

"Visitors can be confident that leisure venues have the most rigorous standards for hygiene and social distancing, and staff have been well-trained," he said.

"In the meantime, we appeal for our MPs and the public to lobby for Government ring-fenced targeted support.”