High Life Highland outlines plans to reopen services as restrictions ease
High Life Highland has outlined some of its plans to reopen leisure, cultural and learning services ahead of the anticipated easing of Covid-19 restrictions by the Scottish Government from April 26.
The charity says the safety of customers and staff will remain the top priority as it prepares to bring many employees back from furlough.
Sport and leisure director Douglas Wilby said: “Our teams across our nine services are prepared and waiting for the announcement confirming the move from level four to level three.
“We are ready for the First Minister’s final 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, and due to their popularity additional classes have been added. These sessions will continue until May 17, which is the expected date when it is hoped our indoor class programme can resume.
“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.
“Our visitor attractions such Ben Nevis Visitor Centre and Inverness Botanic Gardens will reopen to the public on April 26. Although numbers will be controlled, no booking will be required for these locations.
“The outdoor teams, including our countryside rangers, will be brought back on a phased approach from May 4 and will be focusing on the development of the summer programme, in which children can participate during the school holidays.”
John West, director of culture and learning, said: “I am delighted that we are able to reintroduce our tried and tested system of ‘click and collect’ from local libraries across the Highlands, meaning members of the community will once again get access to physical book borrowing from April 26.
“The following day, our archive services across the Highlands will resume, with services such as family history consultations already bookable online. The Inverness museum will also reopen on April 27, with the Highland Folk Museum opening shortly afterwards in May.”
Although a number of staff are returning to their respective roles, having been placed on furlough at the start of the second lockdown, Mr West recognised the work of those who have continued to work throughout the pandemic.
“We’ve had a high proportion of staff who have supported the delivery of services to customers throughout the lockdown period," he said. "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."
He added: “We very much look forward to welcoming our High Life Highland customers and members back to access our locations and services in the coming weeks.
“We will continue to implement the various aspects of the Scottish Government’s route map as we work with colleagues in Highland Council and NHS Highland to mitigate the spread of the virus and create safe and Covid-free locations across the Highlands.”
The charity says it will keep customers and members updated with any further developments through its website and social media channels.