Redbridge commits to reopening Fairlop Waters and investing in a new fleet of boats

Redbridge Council is pleased to announce the Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre (FOAC) will reopen this summer for local user groups and school children following the Prime Minister’s address earlier this week about ending the current national COVID-19 restrictions. 

The decision is also based on Redbridge’s significant reduction in its infection rate. At the start of the year, Redbridge had one of the highest COVID-19 case rates in the country. Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, also confirmed last night (Thursday, 25 February) that Redbridge would be investing in a new fleet of boats to benefit user groups and school children. 

Last week, Redbridge revealed that plans are underway for an upgraded Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre (FOAC) as part of a broader project to improve and redevelop Fairlop Waters.

Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre (FOAC) will reopen in April, starting with boat hire. It is hoped all legal limits on social contact can be removed from Monday, 21 June if the criteria set out by the government is met. When this happens, FOAC will expand its offering to include group-based tuition for schools and local user groups.

There will be a Summer Camp for children in 2021 and Easter and Summer Camps in 2022. Vision RCL is writing to schools and local user groups to make them aware of the reopening, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

Cllr Athwal said: “I want to make it clear there was never any intention to close this fantastic facility, which has been enjoyed by people in Redbridge and further afield for more than 40 years.

“It’s important to remember that we had one of the highest infection rates in the country only a few months ago, meaning that we couldn’t commit to a group open sports water offer this summer for obvious public health reasons. We’ve thankfully witnessed a significant reduction thanks to people in Redbridge following the rules and doing everything they can to get the rates down.

“We’ve also seen a significant change in the national landscape, following the Prime Minister’s announcement this week about easing COVID-19 restrictions. We’re now hopefully moving into calmer waters and a time and place where people can once again go out and enjoy group outdoor pursuits.

“We’re committed to not only preserving sports at Fairlop but to expanding and improving the water activities on offer in the park, both in the immediate future and in the longer term. In the short-term we’re buying new boats and restarting boat hire and group sailing tuition, when safe, through the summer months. In the long-term we’re going ahead with our plans to upgrade the outdoor activity centre as part of the overall redevelopment of Fairlop Waters.”

A public consultation on the future of Fairlop is ongoing, and residents have been invited to take part by visiting https://letstalkredbridge.uk.engagementhq.com/our-future-fairlop.