The Committee of Management, at their meeting on Wednesday 6th October, has reluctantly decided that U3A Knox will not be able to fully open up at all in 2021. Here are the reasons for the decision and the information it is based on.

COVID-Safe restrictions are unlikely to allow any indoor classes to operate until after 5 November. Even then, we will need Knox City Council approval to open the doors and will almost certainly be subject to strict density limits.  We will also need their approval to recommence classes at Carrington Leisure Centre (not yet received) and we are still to be notified regarding other outside venues (eg. Bayswater Senior Citizens and The Basin Senior Citizens). Our term 4 ends on 3 December, less than 4 weeks after any possible opening date.

It will be possible for outside activity classes to run provided they adhere to current COVID-Safe rules concerning group sizes and social distancing. Classes using external venues may be able to recommence when we are advised by their Committees of Management.

The Parkhills (Fairpark) building will need to be totally emptied so that refurbishment work can commence early in 2022. This will involve removal and external storage of all furniture, fixtures and fittings; working bees (COVID-Safe of course) will be required and volunteers called for.

Further consequences of lockdown are that our AGM will have to be held via ZOOM as it was in 2020. Enrolments for 2022 classes will be predominantly “online”, although we are hoping to open the office for the last 2 days of the enrolment week in early December. Further details of both of these will be sent to you in emails and/or newsletters. Details will also be available on this website.

David Kerrisk
for Committee of Management