Rother District Council successfully applied for the National Leisure Recovery Fund Grant, administered by Sport England, to help support the reopening of Bexhill Leisure Centre, Bexhill Leisure Pool and Rye Sports Centre. The money will be used to ensure all three venues are ready to reopen and activities can resume as soon as it is safe to lift restrictions. Cllr Jay Brewerton, Rother District Council’s cabinet member for Families and Children, Sport and Leisure, and Health and Well Being said: “This is fantastic news for our leisure centres. The ability to exercise, especially with other people for those who have been isolated on their own for months, is fundamental to our residents’ health and wellbeing and I am delighted that we have been able to help support the reopening of these facilities. “Our centres have suffered a great deal of disruption, with Freedom Leisure staff having put so much effort into reopening after the first two lockdowns, only to have to close again very shortly after. “This money has been awarded for specific use as set out by Sport England to support the maintenance of building infrastructure whilst centres were closed, and to help with the successful and safe reopening as we welcome back members and residents. “With successive lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions limiting people’s movement for so many months, it’s vital that our centres can provide local residents with an indoor option to exercise and stay fit and healthy.” Ivan Horsfall-Turner, Managing Director at Freedom Leisure added: “The last year has been a significant challenge for the leisure industry. Our role in providing the local communities across Rother with access to health, fitness and wellbeing opportunities has never been more important. The funding secured with Rother District Council will help us to reopen and get back to delivering a vital service to their residents and visitors. The grant is part of central Government’s £100 million fund to support local leisure facilities.