RETURN OF THE LEISURE CENTRES
BUT WHEN CAN WE GO BACK SWIMMING?
THE creation of a group exercise zone at Grimsby Auditorium is among a variety of changes being made to allow leisure centres in North East Lincolnshire to reopen safely.
Operator Lincs Inspire has announced its centres will begin a phased reopening from Monday, July 27, with a variety of differences to keep visitors safe and ensure social distancing rules can be followed.
It follows the latest easing of Government coronavirus lockdown measures relating to indoor sports and leisure facilities.
As well as creating the group exercise zone at Grimsby Auditorium, the sports hall at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre will be used for spinning classes and group exercise sessions, while some gym equipment is also being moved into the hall to give customers extra space for their workouts. An open day will be held on Sunday, July 26, where Lincs Inspire members will be able to book a slot to look around the organisation’s centres, speak to staff and familiarise themselves with the changes that have been made.
Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and the pool building at Grimsby Leisure Centre will then reopen on the following day for gym and group exercise sessions and classes.
The original Grimsby Leisure Centre building, now its health and wellbeing site, will also reopen on July 27 but initially just from Monday to Friday and exclusively for customers aged 50-plus and those managing a health condition or a disability.
But swimming pools will not reopen to the public until Saturday, August 1, while Immingham Swimming Pool and King George V Athletics Stadium will both initially remain closed but under review.
Bradley Football Development Centre will reopen on Monday, July 13.
Lincs Inspire officials say the charitable trust has taken every precaution to ensure staff and customers would be coming back to a safe environment following the temporary closure of its sites as part of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
That means things will look different when the centres open again and some operations have changed to accommodate new regulations and procedures.
Lincs Inspire chief executive Sue Wells said: “We have created a huge group exercise zone in the Grimsby Auditorium, offering customers plenty of socially distanced workout space and a programme of classes with something for everyone.
“Our sports hall at Cleethorpes is also being used for group exercise classes and our always popular spinning classes.
“Some gym equipment has also been moved into this area to give customers more space to work out. “Our swimming pools take a little longer to get back up and running and therefore, public swimming will re-start from Saturday, August 1.
“As a charitable trust, we rely on the support of our members and the wider community.
“We look forward to everyone’s support and hopefully, many more successful years of supporting our community.”
The phased reopening aims to allow Lincs Inspire to rebuild its business in a controlled way. The period of closure since March, along with the necessary changes which have had to be made, continue to have a big impact on the organisation.
Lincs Inspire subscription members will receive further information by e-mail this week about the reopening plans, including guidance on direct debit payments.
Details are also available on the Lincs Inspire website and all customers are asked to familiarise themselves with the changes before they visit.
Ms Wells added: “We thank everyone for their support during this unusual time, we know how tough it has been on everyone.
“We are really looking forward to getting back to business, welcoming you back through our doors once again, and helping you to re-build your health and fitness in the way you want to.
“We are sorry that we have not been able to re-start all of our services or re-open all of our sites initially.
“We appeal for your understanding and we will return to business as usual as soon as we are able.”
Timetables for classes, gym sessions, indoor bowls and swimming will be available soon, along with booking times for the open day.
All members and pay-as-yougo customers are encouraged to book online where possible for sessions and classes, which will require a Lincs Inspire card and registering for an online account.
We appeal for your understanding and we will return to business as usual as soon as we are able Lincs Inspire chief executive Sue Wells