The leader of Ashfield District Council has defended the decision to reopen two leisure centres for school swimming lessons.
Hucknall Leisure Centre and Lammas Leisure Centre, managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Ashfield District Council, reopened their doors to school children on Monday, November 16.
While the centres remain closed for the public, lessons will now be running throughout lockdown.
Jason Zardozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, told Nottinghamshire Live the government has given local authorities the option to reopen leisure settings for educational purposes.
He said: "The manager of the centres showed me round, showed me the extra precautions they are taking. Given they are closed to the rest of the public, given that children are already in classrooms together, it seemed like the right option.
"We want to make school life as normal as possible. There is nobody else in these buildings. If I'm honest I think it was a good decision to make.
"One of the biggest things that isn't being talked about is the huge mental health crisis which is looming - it's going to be massive. The mental health impacts of isolating yourself for six months is going to be huge, and we are already seeing that play out.
"I have personally been to visit the first lesson myself. We want to keep everybody safe, and I know there are people who would rather the centres stay closed for everyone, so as a council we needed to weigh up lots of things.
"I can't possibly comprehend that, out of all the leisure centres in the country, any could be safer than the two I visited. When they are allowed to reopen to the public again, I will happily be first in the queue to use them."
The centres were closed for 11 days during lockdown, and have now only opened for school lessons.
Lorenzo Clark, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are delighted that school swimming lessons are available again at our Hucknall and Lammas sites.
“Our thanks go to Ashfield District Council as without their support this would not have been possible.
“I know our staff will work incredibly hard to ensure a Covid-safe environment, just as they did ahead of our recent re-openings.
“Physical activity is so important for children’s physical and mental health, especially during this second lockdown, and will give them a much-needed dose of normality.”
The Department of Education has said schools can continue to provide extra curricular activities for its pupils throughout the lockdown period.
A Department for Education spokesperson told Nottinghamshire Live: “Schools can and should continue to provide extra-curricular activities including sports before or after school for their pupils so parents and carers can work, seek work or attend education or training during the new national measures that began in England on the 5 November.
“Maintaining children and young people’s physical and mental health is a priority at this time, and schools will need to be flexible in their approach to provide these activities.”
