Following the recent government announcement the Laura Trott Leisure Centre and The John Warner Sports Centre will be reopening on Saturday 25 July.
Strict safety measures will be in place at both centres to protect customers and staff. For the first phase of the reopening the number of people permitted in the gyms, studios and halls will be limited and the swimming pools at both sites will remain closed until the beginning of September.
Table tennis and badminton will only be available at the Laura Trott Leisure Centre.
In order to accommodate all customers the Council is asking customers to only book one gym session per day.
Customers will be required to follow the procedures set out at each centre, and should not use the facilities if they or anyone in their household has COVID-19 symptoms. Customers will be asked to confirm this at each visit to the centre.
Councillor Siobhan Monaghan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Services said: “I am delighted that the Borough leisure centres are able to reopen which is yet another step towards normality.
“This is a great testament of the progress that has been made in the fight against coronavirus, and I hope that with the continued support of our community we are able to keep moving forward whilst taking the utmost care by following the safety guidelines laid out by the government”.
Additional safety measures include a reduction in the number of machines available within the centres and a reduced timetable for classes. Classes will be held in the sports halls to ensure social distancing. A one way system will be in place, hand sanitisers will be available and face masks should be worn wherever practical around the centre. However, customers do not need to wear a mask when exercising.
In the interests of safety, changing rooms, lockers and water fountains will not be available. Therefore customers will need to be suitably attired for their session prior to arrival, bringing with them only essential items and a filled water bottle. Toilets will be available and will be cleaned frequently. The cafés at both sites will be open. However, customers will be required to arrive no more than 10 minutes before the start of booked sessions, and will be required to leave the centres immediately after sessions to help prevent overcrowding and to allow a thorough cleaning before the next session.
Hours of operation will remain the same and doors will open for pre-booked sessions from 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday.
At the Laura Trott Leisure Centre, car parking permits issued with memberships will still be valid but customers must check the date of expiry before parking. Parking refunds will not be possible due to the cashless protocol in operation.