Swim, gym and community sports back on in Fremantle

Fremantle Leisure Centre and Samson Recreation Centre are reopening this Thursday 18 June following the State Government’s Phase 3 easing of restrictions.

The City of Fremantle temporarily closed the centres in March following government directive to ensure community safety and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Mayor Brad Pettitt said the City was excited to welcome back swimmers, gym goers and indoor sports to the Fremantle Leisure Centre and Samson Recreation Centre.

“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,” Mayor Pettitt said.  

“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.”

In preparation for Thursday’s reopening, staff are completing 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 are also testing and switching on all the mechanical equipment and heating the leisure centre’s pools, which takes about a week for the size of these swimming pools.

The leisure centre’s squad program will restart on Thursday 18 June. No shared equipment during swimming lessons, no lending of goggles and a limit of one spectator per swimmer are some of the COVID-19 safety measures that have been put in place.

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.

Inside the leisure centre’s gym, equipment and foot traffic flow have been reconfigured to comply with the 1.5m 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 15 September for members who have not visited the centre prior to 10 September. For more information about memberships, contact the team at [email protected].

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

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

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

Community and sporting groups can also hire the hall from Thursday 18 June. Contact the team on 9432 9992 for more details.

This week, 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.