Leisure Centres in Exeter receive welcome £280k boost

Sport and physical activity in Exeter has received a boost with the awarding of £280,000 government money to support the recovery of leisure centres.

Exeter City Council is one of 266 local authorities that have benefitted from the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund.

The money offsets some of the losses made since leisure centres were forced to close because of COVID. It will also support the phased reopening of Leisure Centres on 12 April, when the government restrictions are eased further.

In October last year the Council took over the running of its leisure facilities. As well as the new St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre, which is set to open this summer, the Council has a number of other leisure facilities including the Riverside Leisure Centre, Exeter Arena and the Isca Centre.

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Physical Activity, said he was delighted with the award.

“It’s been a tough year for the leisure industry – as it has been for most businesses – but as we start to see the gradual relaxation of restrictions, this award is a welcome boost for Exeter Leisure and for thousands of people across the city who will be itching to get back to their fitness programmes and sports and enjoy staying fit and healthy using our great centres and facilities.

“In Exeter we are proud to be an active place to live, work and visit. But of course we can always do more together to give even more people across the city the chance to be active. This is particularly important as we emerge from these restrictions and where activity levels are currently low. This money will help us moving forward to deliver a programme of activity across all our leisure centres,” he added.

Sports Minister Nigel Huddlestone, said: “We know that Local Authorities have faced significant financial pressure as a result of the pandemic so this £100 million for leisure will be vital in helping them recover.

“Communities across England rely on their local leisure centre or gym to help them keep fit and healthy and this funding will assist those public facilities to make ends meet.”