Clearing the hurdles to get sports facilities up and running in the Western Isles again

Sports Facilities Services Manager Tony Wade said: “Although we have been blessed by generally great weather since lockdown began, we know that many people have been missing their regular exercise routine in the gym, pool etc.

“Over the coming weeks, we will be following guidance from the Scottish Government, sportscotland and national sporting organisations to prepare for the time we can look to re-open our sports facilities.

“Although, as in many aspects of our lives at present, there is great uncertainty about when things may change, one certainty is that the ‘new normal’ for sport will be very different in the near future.

“There will be restrictions on the numbers of users able to access facilities to meet social distancing guidelines for example; activities will need to be booked in advance to ensure customer and staff safety - and there will be many more areas where new processes will be needed to be put in place.

“We are also already contacting sports clubs informally about how things may work for them and this process will continue over the next few weeks, as national guidance emerges.

“These changes and new ways of doing things will be shared with all our customers in due course but we can’t wait for the day when we can open our doors and see all those familiar faces again!”