The reopening dates of three council-owned swimming pools have finally been announced.

Bosses have revealed when facilities in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay will welcome back users.

Active Life manages sites including the Kingsmead Leisure Centre, Herons Leisure Centre and Whitstable Swimming Pool and Sports Centre on behalf of Canterbrury City Council.

It says the pools will all reopen on September 17, with the gym at Whitstable Sports Centre also returning on the same day.

These latest re-openings will join the already open gyms and group exercise classes offered by Active Life.

This will be followed by the Swim Academy restarting on September 21 at all three pools.

Active Life previously said the coronavirus pandemic has had a “huge impact” on the leisure sector and footfall is expected to be “significantly down” over the next year.

While leisure centres across the country were allowed to open their doors again in July, people were left wondering why the Canterbury district's facilities were still out of action.

City councillors had called for leisure centres to reopen as a priority - particularly in light of the government’s anti-obesity drive.

All Active Life centres will be operating in line with new government guidelines and those planning to visit will be required to book and pay online.

Gym users will be asked to arrive ready to work out and swimmers with their costumes under their clothes.

Some showers and changing facilities will be available for use after swimming.

CEO of Active Life Anthony Cawley said: "We know our leisure facilities are really important for the health and wellbeing of the local community.

"We are really pleased that we are able to announce the opening of our pools in a safe and viable way and that we can welcome back our Swim Academy members later this month too.”

Bookings can be made up to seven days in advance by downloading the Active Life app or by visiting the centre websites to register and use the booking facility.

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