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Hoo Sports Centre and Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham set to reopen this month

15:53, 05 August 2020

updated: 16:26, 05 August 2020

Some attractions and centres in the Medway Towns are set to reopen later this month.

Medway Council is planning to welcome people back to Hoo Sports Centre, while the Royal Engineers Museum, in Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, has plans to reopen.

The Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham is set to reopen on Saturday, August 15
The Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham is set to reopen on Saturday, August 15

Both are set to open their doors on Saturday, August 15, as part of the government's easing of lockdown restrictions.

Hoo Sports Centre was closed temporarily as it was used as a coronavirus testing site.

Medway Sport staff are planning to welcome customers back to the gym and pool at the Main Road site, however, exercise classes are not available.

Deputy council leader Cllr Howard Doe said: “I am pleased residents living in or near the Hoo Peninsula will once again be able to enjoy the facilities available to them at the sports centre.

"The reopening of both Medway Park and Strood Sports Centre have gone very well, with both customers and staff adapting well to the new social distancing measures in place.

"These unparalleled times have exacted a great toll on so many lives..."

"The health and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our priority and the new measures are in place to ensure our customers are able to enjoy our sports centres safely.”

Splashes Sports Centre in Rainham remains closed whilst it undergoes a £5million redevelopment - which was approved at a full council meeting last month.

The Royal Engineers Museum will open later this month with reduced hours.

Customers will also have to pre-book their visit and a one-way system will be in place as it hopes to encourage local people to return back.

Museum director Rebecca Nash said: “We are delighted to welcome visitors back to the Royal Engineers Museum.

Hoo Sports Centre, in Main Road, Hoo, will reopen later this month. Picture: Google Maps
Hoo Sports Centre, in Main Road, Hoo, will reopen later this month. Picture: Google Maps

"These unparalleled times have exacted a great toll on so many lives and our target has been to ensure a safe, enjoyable environment for our dedicated team and customers alike.

"We’ve thoroughly prepared our historic site to adhere to the guidelines laid out by the government and to achieve the "we’re good to go" standard.

"The relaunch of the museum’s galleries and services will hopefully encourage our visitors to be further inspired by the history of the Royal Engineers innovative approach to unprecedented challenges”.

Additional measures will be put in place for customer safety, including an enhanced cleaning system and the installation of hygiene screens and sanitiser stations at the receptions and galleries.

The café will also reopen with a reduced menu and fewer tables to accommodate social distancing measures.

Further information can be found on the Museum’s website, re-museum.co.uk, or on their social media channels.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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