Gedling Borough Council has set out how it will reopen leisure centres next week when lockdown comes to an end and tier three restrictions are introduced.
From December 2, the council’s leisure centres will all reopen and residents will again be able to book online for gym and swim sessions.
The council say they have been working closely with UK Active, CIMSPA, Swim England and government guidelines to ensure that our centres are safe places to work and work out and swim.
The centres have been deep cleaned and additional cleaning routines have also been introduced. Cleaning stations, hand sanitisers and one-way systems have also been put in place.
The council has now made pre-booking mandatory at leisure centres, so they can limit the number of people in each session, class and pool at any time.
The council is asking those having to isolate if they or someone else in their household has Covid symptoms not to visit their centres until the isolation period has ended.
Pre-booking
The council is asking leisure centre users to pre-book a time slot for a gym session, swim or exercise class and only visit within that time slot.
You must arrive and queue 10 minutes before your allocated time. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late for your session you may not be allowed to participate. All sessions must be booked and paid for in advance.
Activities are bookable through the Gedling Leisure app and online.
If you prefer to book by phone, please call the relevant leisure centre.
To book a session you will need to either be a DNA member or to have a Gedling Leisure Card (and pay as you go).
Gym and classes
The council has put the following rules in place that must be followed by those using the gym or attending classes:
- Members should wear a face covering when moving around the centres, you do not have to wear a covering when exercising.
- Arrive dressed ready to work out – lockers and changing rooms are out of use.
- Arrive no more than five minutes before your session time. This includes all activities.
- Gym users will be given 15 minute’s grace after their session start time to allow for late arrival. Please note, session end time will remain the same.
- Users may bring a small bag for essentials but no towels.
- If you have to queue on arrival, please adhere to the floor markings and maintain a 2m distance from others.
- Gym equipment has been spread out with clearly marked areas, to allow at least 2 metres from you and another customer. Some machines will be marked as out of use and there is a one-way system in the gym spaces, to help everyone to keep their distances
- All classes also have floor markings to ensure people have at least 2 metres between them and the next person.
Swimming pools
The council has increased the cleaning measures at swimming pools are limiting swimmer numbers and have introduced other changes to keep you safe while you swim and swimming direct debits have been suspended free of charge.
At Carlton Forum and Arnold Leisure Centre the council is currently running Swim4All, Relaxation/Accessibility, Adults, Float Swims, Disability Swim Stars, Baby and Toddler, Splash Tots, Junior Swim Stars and One-To-One sessions.
The council has issued the following guidance around public swim sessions…
- Each public swim session in the pool is 50 minutes at Calverton Leisure Centre and 60 minutes at Carlton Forum and Arnold Leisure Centre and must be booked in advance. Please note you will not be allowed into the pool without a booking. To book a session you will need a Gedling Leisure card, you can apply for a free Leisure card here.
- No spectators are allowed on site for public swimming sessions until further notice.
- Users should arrive 5 minutes prior to their session to allow time to get changed and in to the pool ready for the start of your session. If you arrive late you may not be allowed to access your session.
- Public swim sessions take place in lanes and requires customers to swim lengths in a clockwise direction to ensure social distancing
- Changing facilities including lockers and cubicles will be available for use. Where possible, customers should come with their costumes on underneath their clothes so time spent in the changing room is kept to a minimum. (Calverton does not have cubicles available)
- At the end of the session the lifeguards will instruct customers to exit the pool.
Badminton
The council is re-introducing bookings for badminton at Redhill, Calverton and Carlton Forum. There is limited court availability and changes have made changes to keep you safe while on site:
- Courts must be booked (online, by phone or via the app) and paid for in advance. Visit the relevant leisure centre’s badminton/sports hall booking page. Once you have logged in you will be able to see which courts are available to book at which times.
- Please arrive 5 minutes before your session. You will need to give you membership or booking number at reception. You will then follow the signs to the sports hall.
- After your session, you will leave the centre by a different door (one of our staff will direct you).
- Badminton is only available to customers where all players are from the same household for both single and doubles games.
- Social distancing must be maintained at all times
- All equipment must be provided by the players
- Please arrive ready to play and bring only essential items with you, as lockers and changing facilities are not available. Toilets are available.
Squash Courts
Squash courts at Carlton Forum Leisure Centre are now available to book (Squash is not currently available at Calverton).
There is limited availability and changes have been made in line with Squash England guidelines to keep you safe while on site:
- All sessions must be booked in advance (online, by phone or via the app). Visit the Carlton Forum’s sports hall booking page, once you have logged in you will be able to see availability and book your session.
- Games can only be played with people from your household.
- Please arrive ready to play and bring only essential items with you, as lockers and changing facilities are not available. Toilets are available.
Table Tennis
The council is introducing Table Tennis back at Calverton and Carlton Forum. There is limited availabilty and we have made changes to keep you safe while on site:
- Courts must be booked in advance (online, by phone or via the app). Visit the relevant leisure centre’s sports hall booking page. Once you have logged in you will be able to see availability and book your session
- Single games can be played across different households or social bubbles
- Doubles games must be with those from the same household
- All equipment must be provided by the players
- Please arrive ready to play and bring only essential items with you, as lockers and changing facilities are not available. Toilets are available.
What’s not available
The council has said the following facilities and activities will not be in use until further notice:
- Fast track entry kiosks (Carlton Forum and Redhill)
- Changing rooms/lockers are for swimmers only – please arrived dressed ready to work out in a gym or classes
- Water fountains – please bring your own drink
- Squash courts at Calverton (Carlton Forum’s squash court is now open)
- 3G pitch (Calverton)
- Health suite (Carlton Forum)
- Children’s parties
- Specialist classes (e.g. health classes)
- Dry side clubs.
For more information visit the council’s leisure page: https://www.gedling.gov.uk/leisure
