We aim for services to continue much as they are at present, but we ask for your patience as we set up new systems and get things in place. Inevitably there will be a few glitches and lessons to learn as we take on the centre, but we welcome your input and feedback.

Over this first year we will look at classes and timetables to see if we can make positive changes to accommodate the wishes of local people. Again, let us know what you’d like to see and change.

We hope the following answers some of your questions, but we are here to help and answer any queries you may have.

Staff

Are the staff/instructors going to be the same? Yes, all the great staff that have served you in the past will remain.Please bear with our colleagues as we change the systems and procedures that will be new to them and we thank you for your patience and understanding through the transfer. We also have a new Centre Director – Daniel Lynn, who will be on hand most days to meet with and ask questions to.

Memberships

I am a member. Will I be able to visit as normal from April 1^st? Yes, we look forward to welcoming you from Tuesday April 1^st. It will take a little time to get all our systems up and running but we will be open as normal and we will be doing everything we can to avoid any unnecessary disruption but please bear with our colleagues during this time.

I have an annual membership that I have paid for in advance. Will this be affected by the transfer? Your membership details will be provided to us by Freedom Leisure as part of the transfer process so you will be able to access the facilities for the duration of your membership as you do now.

I have a H&R Membership and use other Freedom Leisure sites. Can I continue to access them?  Your membership will transfer over to the CIO, and will allow you use of Rye Leisure Centre only from April 1^st 2025. Prices for Hastings and Rother memberships have been adjusted to reflect this, and we will write to you confirming this before the transfer. If you would like to retain use of Freedom Leisure’s sites across Hastings & Rother, please speak to a member of the team before March 31^st 2025, and they will change over your membership.

I have a Leisure Pass membership. Will these roll over to the CIO from April 1^st? The Leisure Pass memberships will end on March 31^st 2025, so please ensure that you use any outstanding credits you have before then. We have a range of memberships on offer from April 1^st, including more flexible swim-only options for families, so please speak to the team at reception for more details.

Who will be collecting my monthly direct debit? To allow time for set up and testing of our new systems, Freedom Leisure will collect all direct debit payments on our behalf on April 1^st 2025, and then transfer the money to the CIO. After the transfer, we will then contact all our direct debit members by email informing you of the change of name to Rye Recreation & Wellbeing CIO, trading as Rye Leisure Centre. You will not need to amend your direct debit, we will change your direct debit for you, and the CIO will collect payments from May 1^st 2025.

Classes and Bookings

I have a regular booking at the leisure centre, will this be affected by the transfer? No, your details will be passed across to us along with any advance bookings already in place. If you wish to contact us, please email us (as below) and a member of the team will get back to you.

I, or my children have swimming lessons at the leisure centres, will they be affected by the transfer? It is our intention to continue with the normal swimming lesson programme so please attend as normal. If there are any changes, we will let you know by email or phone.

I currently book online or through an App. Will this be affected by the transfer? We will do all that we can to have our App up and running as soon as we can after the transfer. We will update you on progress but as soon as it is live we will have a link on our website for you to download the App or book online through the website.

Prices

Will the prices change as a result of the transfer? The majority of prices remain the same, and some, such as those for current Hastings and Rother memberships, will reduce as access changes to Rye Leisure Centre only. We will email all members whose prices will change in advance of the change. Please ensure we have your correct email address to ensure you receive all communications in good time.

Timings

Will the centres be closed at any point during the transfer? No, we are not envisaging any closures.

Will the opening hours and timetables for the centres change? The centre opening hours will remain as they are currently and all timetables will be the same post transfer. We will however be looking to make improvements and expanding the programme over time and we’ll notify you of any changes post transfer.

Communications

Will the telephone number and/or email addresses for the leisure centres change? We don’t anticipate a change to the current phone numbers however the email addresses for the centres will change to [email protected]. This inbox will not be monitored in the interim so please do not email us until 1 April. For any queries, the team at your leisure centre will be able to help you as they do now.

Will the centres have new websites? Yes, from Tuesday 1 April you will be able to visit the new centre websites at www.ryeleisurecentre.co.uk, or follow us on Facebook. This is for information only at the moment as we won’t be taking any bookings through it. You will be able to view opening hours, timetables and details of how to contact your centre, and as soon as possible we will let you know how you can book classes/courts, and join/renew online through the website and on social media.

Car Park

Car parking is currently free for Freedom Leisure members. Will this continue under the CIO?
Yes, this will continue at the point of transfer.

The CIO very much looks forward to welcoming you to Rye Leisure Centre from April 1^st along with the current team, and thank you all for the magnificent support you have given us since we started on this journey. See you on April 1^st (no joke!).

Best wishes,

Daniel Lynn

Centre Director, on behalf of Rye Recreation & Wellbeing CIO