Chase High School, in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council, is making changes to how and when the public can use Chase Sports and Fitness Centre.
From Tuesday 1 July 2025, the public will no longer be able to access the centre during school hours. The school will take full control of managing the centre, including all bookings and daily operations. The centre will still be available for public use every evening, Monday to Friday, at weekends, and throughout school holidays. The school will confirm the new public timetable in due course.
For more than ten years, the public has benefitted from shared use of the centre. The Council and Chase High School have worked hard over the last three years to continue providing daytime use to members of the public whilst meeting the schools improved safeguarding arrangements, with public supervision and chaperoning introduced.
However, this is no longer practical. The school's priority is to provide a safe learning environment, and reducing public access during the school day will help protect students and clearly separate school and community use of the site.
Southend-on-Sea City Council and Chase High School understand the value of community access to local facilities and are working together to ensure the centre remains open outside of school hours.
Cllr Matt Dent, cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said: "We understand how much the local community values access to Chase Sports and Fitness Centre, and we're pleased that it will continue to be available outside of school hours and during holidays. Student safety must always come first, and these changes will help Chase High School maintain a secure and focused learning environment. We'll continue working closely with the school to support a smooth transition and make sure the centre remains a well-used community resource."