Leisure centres reopening

[py_megapixel]

How are your local leisure centres doing for reopening?

I used to enjoy going swimming on Saturday mornings, and now the leisure centres are starting to reopen I thought I might give it another go. But I can't really, because the timetabling is ridiculous.

My regular one - which I go to because it has the nicest cycle route from my home - used to open at 7:30, have public swimming for an hour and a half, and then close off the pool for swimming lessons until the afternoon, at which point it was reserved for private hire, birthday parties and that sort of thing, before finally reverting to public swimming for the last couple of hours before closing.

Due to Covid no swimming lessons are running on Saturdays. Great, I thought, I can get a bit more swimming in and not have to arrive quite as early meaning I won't have to cycle in the dark during the winter.

Nope! Not only have they not extended the public opening hours into the slot that would previously be taken up by swimming lessons, they've actually shortened the public swimming by 15 minutes, and started opening 30 minutes later. This means that, allowing about 15 minutes to use toilets/showers and get changed, I only have half an hour of viable swimming time. And to rub salt in the wound, the pool is entirely reserved for lane swimming (I don't particularly like this) when previously it was a couple of lanes and a wider open space.

I can't think they are financially viable in this state, and I certainly won't be visiting one.

 

[yorkie]

My local leisure centre is a very depressing place at the moment.

@D6700 may be able to report on the swimming situation there.

 

[mawallace]

Same here

Pool one - opened for swimming Last week in July - during August had a timetable - sessions opened 10 am and ran through to 7.00 pm - meant I could go for a swim when I came home from work.

Now they have started lessons - so lane swimming - 6.30 am - 7.30 am each day - none on Sundays! - Saturdays all day. Means it's only Saturday I can do whereas I was going 3 times a week in August.

Pool two- which I also used - Opens 11 am each day - last swim 2 pm - again not much point for those working!

 

[Skittle]

Our pool and gyms are due to open on Mon and I have to say I'm feeling really lucky with how it is working out. I booked in for a swim sesson on Monday to see how it's all set before going back in the gym which I always finding intimidating!

I do think it's cropped up a few times with how viable some of the changes are. I think from what I read on my own centre is that it's all going to be lane swimming (so again they've removed the wider space that you mention which I usually gravitate towards as well). But it's working on a time system of one hour slots that must be booked in advance. Which I love the thought of - the times seem more or less as they were, a little shorter but not huge difference as far as I can remember. But they used to get so crowded in some of the centres that I think the booking system is a relief.

 

[Mojo]

Ours reopened in July. It has an indoor poor, outside pool and a gymnasium. Booking in advance is compulsory, but you have to select which one of the three you want in advance and each slot lasts one hour (officially this is supposed to be 10 Min of preparation and 50 Min of the actual activity but this doesn’t seem to be enforced and if you’re ready to go straight away then they won’t stop you). Slots are in ten minute arrival times and there are 9 bookings allowed per slot.

The main issue I’ve encountered is that there is no way to contact the centre if you’re having any problems, because the phones aren’t being answered (you call up and get a recorded message that due to Covid they aren’t answering phones). Back in July I was trying to book a slot for swimming outside; the website said the outdoor pool was open from 7am - 3pm but the last slot it would allow me to book was at 7.50am. I ended up cycling round there early afternoon one day and asked the ticket inspector what time the outdoor pool was open until, and he said 3pm. I then peered over his shoulder and noticed nobody was in the pool and was tempted to ask if he wondered why nobody was in the pool but just said how come I can’t book any slots after 8am! Eventually I spoke to a manager who advised me that due to lack of interest in the first week they were open, they decided to close the pool at 9am, but they would be open until 3pm if warm weather was forecast. I then asked when a decision would be made and was told it was “a couple of days before.” Given that it was indeed a couple of days before 30+ degree temperatures were forecast, I pressed the point and he said that they may allow bookings later in the week. Fortunately, they did, but I just walked away from the experience less than impressed; my sympathy with local authorities pleading poverty waining given the number of chargeable services that they voluntarily shut down or made unattractive to use.

I was very amused at the cleaning process! The lifeguards dipped a bucket into the (chlorinated) pool and splashed a bit of the water around the pool edge. They then rubbed some hand sanitiser over the handrails.

 

[duncanp]

My local swimming pool and leisure centre (Harborne in Birmingham) re-opened on 1st September

• You have to book in advance, which is understandable, but there are a reasonable selection of 45 minute slots for the gym and swimmimng pool throughout the day.
• For swimmimng, you have to come "swim ready", which means wearing swimming trunks underneath your trousers, which in turn means remembering to take a pair of underpants to put on afterwards. This is because you are only allowed to use the changing rooms after your swimming session and not before. Personally I don't see the point of this, but overall it is a small price to pay in order to allow the pool to be open in the first place.
• For the gym, you have to come "gym ready", which means wearing your gym kit on arrival at the leisure centre, and you are not allowed to use the changing rooms or showers either before or after your session. This is a major disincentive to me to use the gym, as I travel there by public transport and whilst it might be OK to get on the bus in a T shirt and shorts in September, I can't think it would be acceptable in December or January. They did indicate that the changing room policy might change later, but why not now?

Many leisure centres have not re-opened at all, as this article from BBC Scotland shows.

The article says that all facilities are facing increased costs as a result of having to make the premises COVID secure, whilst at the same time facing reduced revenue.

I would also add that all leisure centres and pools should review their rules around the use of changing rooms and lockers and not have silly rules that act as a disincentive to customers. Another pool in Birmingham actually says that changing rooms may not be available after your swimming session, so please be prepared to go home with wet swimming trunks underneath your trousers. Er, how exactly is that going to encourage people to use that place?

Coronavirus: Why have sports facilities near me not reopened?

Gyms, pools, sports courts and leisure centres have been allowed to open since 31 August. So why do many remain shut?

www.bbc.co.uk

Leisure centres, sports courts, gyms and swimming pools have been among the most recent facilities to be allowed to reopen as lockdown restrictions eased in Scotland.

They were given the green light to resume from 31 August, two weeks earlier than had been expected.

But many facilities across Scotland are still closed. So why have they not reopened yet?

'Significant costs'
Leisure facilities are often run by the local council or by a charitable trust. They all operate independently so have reached different decisions about how and when to reopen.

Many are not run for profit. In some cases, they say it's just not financially viable to reopen everything in the current climate.

For example, Glasgow Life - the charity which runs Glasgow's sports venues - has warned that millions of pounds of income which supports its services has been "wiped out" by the pandemic.

It said financial and staffing constraints meant it was simply not possible to operate all venues and services. It also warned that adapting venues to meet social distancing requirements came with "significant costs" which could impact on the sustainability of some facilities.

• What are the latest lockdown rules in Scotland?
• Covid-19 in Scotland: Where are the latest cases?

Money aside, some other changes can be complicated and take time to implement.

Edinburgh Leisure runs more than 30 venues across the Scottish capital.

Six will be reopening on Monday 14 September - the original date which had been set by the Scottish government before it was brought forward to 31 August.

The charity says reopening 30 venues is a "big and complex task" which involves bringing 900 staff back from furlough, many of whom will need training before starting work.

In lots of areas, gyms are reopening - but you'll be asked to book in advance and your stay may be limited to one hour.

Some gyms have moved equipment to areas with more space to allow users to social distance.

In several areas - including South Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire - spin bikes have been placed on sports courts to allow more room for classes to take place safely.

At the Citadel in South Ayrshire, gym equipment has been spread across three larger areas - including a sports court which now hosts about 15 exercise bikes.

And in East Renfrewshire, the sports hall at Barrhead Foundry is being used for fitness classes. It will be reopened for other activities in October.


While gym equipment is on sports courts, they aren't available to be booked for the likes of badminton and basketball.

Alex Meldrum, who has been campaigning for facilities to reopen and set up the Fit to Fight Covid Scotland group, said it was frustrating that those who wanted to play on the courts couldn't get access.

"Even if the leisure centres are reopening, they're opening for gym and fitness and not for court hire - and in a lot of cases they're using the sports hall for spin classes and gym equipment," he said.

He could see no reason for the delay, as all of the indoor court sports he was aware of had protocols in place to ensure play could happen safely.

Mr Meldrum warned that it was children who were missing out most, as often the gym or fitness classes weren't open to them.

He also pointed out that sports clubs often book out school halls in the evenings - but these are also unavailable and "there's no indication they are going to become available any time soon".

A spokesman for South Ayrshire Council, which runs the Citadel, said it was using larger spaces to allow people to safely attend classes.

He added that the council was looking at reopening activity centres, and that it wanted to "provide the best possible services to our members while adhering to the latest government guidance".

Running a swimming pool costs a lot of money.

The community-run pool in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, has found that it's not feasible to cover its costs and abide by the coronavirus restrictions.

It did reopen - but took in less than £30 per day. The pool costs more than £700 per day to run.

It explained that in "normal times" pool activities, swimming lessons and other charitable work could cover the costs.

But under current restrictions it can't allow enough people in to cover its operating costs.

It said that "with great sadness" the pool would be closed until the end of October, when the position would be reviewed.

 

[scotrail158713]

Another pool in Birmingham actually says that changing rooms may not be available after your swimming session, so please be prepared to go home with wet swimming trunks underneath your trousers. Er, how exactly is that going to encourage people to use that place?

That just screams “rules made by someone who’s never been there/done that” - crazy!

 

[adc82140]

Logic says that the longer opening hours are the fewer people you get in at once. I just don't understand reduced hours for any public facility.

 

[py_megapixel]

The main issue I’ve encountered is that there is no way to contact the centre if you’re having any problems, because the phones aren’t being answered (you call up and get a recorded message that due to Covid they aren’t answering phones).

Oh, ours is even worse... the only phone number they give you is one for an automated line, the purpose of which is to ask you to choose what information you want, and then say "Please check online!"

No way to book over the phone either, which I'd much prefer to doing it online.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Logic says that the longer opening hours are the fewer people you get in at once. I just don't understand reduced hours for any public facility.

My local climbing wall is opening at 6am for precisely that reason, normally doesn't open until 11 for lunchtime custom.

 

[dk1]

Very impressed with my local swimming pool. Everything is pre-booked for 45 minute sessions every 1h15 from 06:30. Queue outside the centre where details are taken then 5mins before you all walk in & change beside the pool (must remember to have your kit on) then jump in to one of 3 wide lanes. After 45mins or before if needed you may use showers & change in a cubicle before leaving via a fire exit. Very structured & organised. I've even heard others say that though they want CV-19 gone as far as the centre is concerned it's better right now.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Very impressed with my local swimming pool. Everything is pre-booked for 45 minute sessions every 1h15 from 06:30. Queue outside the centre where details are taken then 5mins before you all walk in & change beside the pool (must remember to have your kit on) then jump in to one of 3 wide lanes. After 45mins or before if needed you may use showers & change in a cubicle before leaving via a fire exit. Very structured & organised. I've even heard others say that though they want CV-19 gone as far as the centre is concerned it's better right now.

I can see the benefits of booking for lane swimming sessions, as it's really unpleasant when it gets crowded and you have no real way of knowing how busy it will be before you get there.

 

[dk1]

I can see the benefits of booking for lane swimming sessions, as it's really unpleasant when it gets crowded and you have no real way of knowing how busy it will be before you get there.

That's it. Also it's all lane swimming so no worries of kids, beach balls & that sort of thing. Most people adjust into the lanes that suit their ability & speed but you'll always get the odd one that seems oblivious to everything & everyone overtaking them

 

[py_megapixel]

Very impressed with my local swimming pool. Everything is pre-booked for 45 minute sessions every 1h15 from 06:30. Queue outside the centre where details are taken then 5mins before you all walk in & change beside the pool (must remember to have your kit on) then jump in to one of 3 wide lanes. After 45mins or before if needed you may use showers & change in a cubicle before leaving via a fire exit. Very structured & organised. I've even heard others say that though they want CV-19 gone as far as the centre is concerned it's better right now.

The problem I have with that kind of arrangement is no option to swim not in a lane, which I generally prefer. However that still sounds a hell of a lot better than my local...

 

[Steveoh]

That's it. Also it's all lane swimming so no worries of kids, beach balls & that sort of thing. Most people adjust into the lanes that suit their ability & speed but you'll always get the odd one that seems oblivious to everything & everyone overtaking them

Ours has lane swimming maximum of 8 people per session, 4 per lane, lanes double the normal size. It's been great. 45 mins to get in, swim and get out again and leave. If you want to swim for 44 mins and leave wet that's ok, if you want to dry off first that's also fine as long as you leave on time. In through the main door out through the fire exit. Cubicles in use, locker paired with cubibles. There are an A and a B set of cubicles which are locked in and out of use per session and then cleaned in between. All works really well.

Then there are general swim sessions with a maximum of 15, same principles apply with lockers / cubicles etc. Works really really well. Hasn't felt at all crowed even with 15.

You book and pay in advance, scan in with your leisure centre card and off you go.

As to whether it's financially viable - that's another question.

In general where I live lots of places seem to be adopting a very common sense approach.

 

[dk1]

Ours has lane swimming maximum of 8 people per session, 4 per lane, lanes double the normal size. It's been great. 45 mins to get in, swim and get out again and leave. If you want to swim for 44 mins and leave wet that's ok, if you want to dry off first that's also fine as long as you leave on time. In through the main door out through the fire exit. Cubicles in use, locker paired with cubibles. There are an A and a B set of cubicles which are locked in and out of use per session and then cleaned in between. All works really well.

Then there are general swim sessions with a maximum of 15, same principles apply with lockers / cubicles etc. Works really really well. Hasn't felt at all crowed even with 15.

You book and pay in advance, scan in with your leisure centre card and off you go.

As to whether it's financially viable - that's another question.

In general where I live lots of places seem to be adopting a very common sense approach.

Yes I do wonder how viable it is but has had a good take up. The City council sponsors the facility so suppose it's not so much of a problem. Being a member it's still unlimited the times you go. Theyve really made the best of a bad job.

The problem I have with that kind of arrangement is no option to swim not in a lane, which I generally prefer. However that still sounds a hell of a lot better than my local...

Yes I understand that. The slower lane still has that option to an extent & most are very friendly from what ive witnessed. It's also a shame to see the steam & sauna closed off as they where good for a catch up.