Fremantle welcomes reopening of aquatic and fitness facilities

The City of Fremantle has welcomed back swimmers, gym goers and indoor sports to the Fremantle Leisure Centre and Samson Recreation Centre.

Fremantle Leisure Centre and Samson Recreation Centre reopened last week following Western Australian Government’s Phase 3 easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

The leisure centre’s squad program also restarted on 18th June with COVID-19 safety measures in place including no shared equipment during swimming lessons, no lending of goggles and a limit of one spectator per swimmer.

Planning is underway to resume the leisure centre’s remaining swim programs, including Aquababy, Learn to Swim Under 5s, Learn to Swim Over 5s, Youthswim, Teenswim, Junior Lifeguard Club, Dolphins and Adults, commencing term three, Monday 20 July. Members will be updated with booking information once programming details have been confirmed.

In preparation for the reopening, staff completed COVID-19 infection control training, increasing cleaning schedules and erecting physical distancing signage to ensure the centres are a safe place for returning members and the wider community.

Contracted technicians also tested and switched on all the mechanical equipment and heating the leisure centre’s pools, which takes about a week for the size of these swimming pools.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt notes “We know how much our community members have missed the Leisure Centre and Recreation Centre, and staff have also missed the friendly interactions with the regulars.

“Since announcing the reopening date less than two weeks ago, staff have been working urgently behind the scenes through the logistics of reopening and implementing the government’s COVID-19 safety standards.

“I’m sure everyone is thrilled to get back to some kind of normalcy and getting back into a health and fitness routine is an encouraging step forward.”

Inside the leisure centre’s gym, equipment and foot traffic flow have been reconfigured to comply with the 1.5metre physical distancing requirements, with a stricter no towel/no workout policy implemented.

All leisure centre memberships that were put on hold during the COVID-19 centre shutdown will be activated on a member’s first visit to the centre. Membership contracts will be activated effective 15th September for members who have not visited the centre prior to 10th September.

Samson Recreation Centre’s indoor courts are also back in action, with the Monday and Wednesday evening netball competitions kicking off on 22nd June and 24th June.

The Thursday morning netball competition will resume after the school holidays on 23rd July and will run through until December.

Seniors badminton will return from Monday 22nd June, while yoga starts up again on Monday 20th July.

The City also welcomed the reopening of Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Visitor Centre, The Meeting Place, Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Wanjoo Lounge and other community facilities including Sullivan Hall and North Fremantle Community Centre.