Jobs will be available for seasonal workers (credit: Redbridge Council)
The sites future was cast into doubt after every seasonal worker was fired two weeks ago.
It sparked a petition calling for the facility to be saved which was signed by more than 8,000 people.
The local council has now revealed the centre will be open for boat hire in April.
Schools and local groups will also be able to use it for group based tuition as soon as lockdown restrictions are fully lifted.
Leader of the council, Cllr Jas Athwal, confirmed Redbridge will be investing in a new fleet of boats.
“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,” said Cllr Athwal.
“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.”
The decision to reopen the site was made after the Prime Minister announced his roadmap to bring the country out of lockdown earlier this week.
It was also based on the borough’s significant reduction in infection rate as it had one of the highest Covid-19 case rates in the country at the start of the year.
John Kaylor, who started the petition to save the centre, said his team is “very pleased” with the announcement.
“They see it as a definite win-win situation, and are pleased that the Council saw the many benefits of the centre,” said John.
“Redbridge Council win because they will see again the FOAC opening up and contributing to, rather than drawing on, precious Council funds.
“The young people of Redbridge, belonging to 70+ groups, schools, special needs schools and disabled charities, also win because their really essential activity centre stays open.”
Redbridge Council has confirmed shifts for casual workers will be available again.
For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM
Tags: Redbridge, Fairlop, Redbridge Council, Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre
