High Life Highland reveals some reopening plans
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Safety of its customers and staff remains the top priority for High Life Highland (HLH) as the charity anticipates restrictions to be eased on April 26.
As it prepares to bring many employees back from furlough, director of sport and leisure Douglas Wilby said: “We are ready for the First Minister’s announcement that will give the ‘green light’ to the respective sections to start delivering activities and services to the communities across the Highlands.
“Our leisure teams have been providing outdoor classes since last month, which due to popularity have seen additional classes added. These sessions will continue until May 17, which is the expected date when it is hoped our indoor class programme can be resumed.
“In the meantime, leisure centres and swimming pools will reopen, on a pre-booking system on April 26. Customers and members can participate in swimming, attending the gym and children’s activities, such as swimming lessons."
Inverness Botanic Gardens is among other HLH attractions expected to reopen on April 26 and libraries will operate a click and collect service.
Archive services will reopen on April 27, along with Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
Countryside rangers will be brought back from May 4.
John West, director of culture and learning, said: “We’ve had a high proportion of staff who have supported the delivery of services to customers throughout the lockdown period. These have included our sport, youth and adult education colleagues working with many of the most vulnerable in our communities who may otherwise have been left isolated during the very challenging periods in which we found ourselves.
“Our music instructors have continued to develop new ways of working throughout lockdown to support school pupils in the home-learning environment; all of which have been extremely well received by parents.
“We also, of course, have our team of support staff who have worked since March last year to ensure essential back-of-house functions were maintained and ongoing support was available to colleagues.
“We very much look forward to welcoming our customers and members back to access our locations and services in the forthcoming weeks.
“We will continue to implement the various aspects of the Scottish Government’s route map as we work with colleagues in the Highland Council and NHS Highland to mitigate the spread of the virus and create safe and Covid-free locations across the Highlands.”
