LEISURE centres and swimming pools in mid Wales will start reopening from next month.

Ceredigion County Council announced this afternoon that its aim is to open Aberaeron and Lampeter leisure centres by the beginning of September, by offering scaled down activities initially.

Leisure services will also be offered at Penglais Sports Hall and Cardigan Swimming Pool as both Plascrug Leisure Centre and Cardigan Leisure Centre will remain as field hospitals for the time being.

The centres when reopened will only accept cashless payment for services.

Powys Council also announced today that Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre in Machynlleth will reopen slightly later than anticipated following the necessary completion of works to the first floor.

Freedom Leisure are working with Powys County Council have advised that this should be completed by the beginning of October.

Announcing plans, a spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “Preparations are underway to ensure the highest standards of public safety are in place when leisure centres and swimming pools reopen in Ceredigion.

“This comes following an announcement by Welsh Government to allow Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools in Wales to reopen from Monday, 10 August.

“Since the lockdown began, Ceredigion County Council has taken every measure to ensure public safety.

“The council is extremely grateful for the co-operation shown by the county’s residents in challenging times. As part of this, the Council’s facilities were adapted to provide essential services to Ceredigion’s residents, by creating two field hospitals at Cardigan Leisure Centre and Plascrug Leisure Centre in Aberystwyth.

“The Council’s focus now turns to partially reopening leisure centres in the county by deep cleaning the facilities, putting up signs to ensure that social distance and public safety measures can be maintained, and carrying out health and safety checks.

“We would like to thank the private leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools in the area for their continued support and for working with us to ensure that everything is in place prior to reopening, as the safety of the staff, customers and the residents of Ceredigion is of paramount importance to us.”

Discussing the delay in reopening Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre in Machynlleth, a Powys Council spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the important role that Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre plays within Machynlleth and the wider community. Please be assured all efforts are being made to reopen Bro Ddyfi as soon as possible and we greatly appreciate your continued patience and support during this time.”