A splashing great time for kids as swim lessons restart
Classes will resume on a phased basis
Young children will be able to start back swimming lessons from Monday as Renfrewshire Leisure aims to get children learning in the pool again.
The lessons will be phased in, with children at starfish level – beginners aged five years and over – the first to return.
And, as long as government advice doesn’t change, it is hoped all intermediate and advanced groups – seals, dolphins, swordfish and sharks – will return from Monday, June 7.
However, parents whose children attended lessons at Johnstone Hub will have to wait until maintenance work is finished and the pool reopens as there is no extra capacity at other pools.
It is the first time since March last year that swimming lessons have been possible because of mitigation measures in place to manage the spread of covid.
Alan Cunningham, Renfrewshire Leisure’s indoor leisure services manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to get our swimming lessons programme up and running again.
“We know how much the children enjoy them, how much the lessons have been missed and cannot wait to welcome our customers back.
“Our team has worked really hard to put a timetable in place that allows us to comply with all Scottish Government Covid-19 guidelines while also being able to get our lessons back underway.
“I would like to thank children and parents for their ongoing patience and understanding as we work towards getting every group back in the water as soon as we can, while also looking after the welfare of our customers and staff. “Safety is our number one priority.” The pool at Johnstone Hub remains closed for maintenance works and existing participants will be prioritised for lessons once it reopens.
A Renfrewshire Leisure spokesman said: “The return of swimming lessons at Johnstone Hub will be a priority as soon as the pool reopens this summer, following the completion of repair work.
“In the meantime, due to capacity constraints, we are unfortunately unable to offer those who would normally take part in lessons at Johnstone spaces our at other pools.
“We know how much our lessons at Johnstone are valued and are keen to have them return as quickly as possible.
“We thank our participants and their parents for their patience and cannot wait to welcome people back as soon as we are able to do so.”
Pre- school lessons are not permitted until Covid-19 restrictions reach level zero, because at that level instructors need to be in the water with children.
This also means that parent and toddler sessions cannot yet take place because of social distancing requirements.
Children need to arrive ‘swim ready’, meaning they should be in their swimwear under an easily removable item of clothing like a dressing gown, onesie or coat.
Only one other parent is allowed to stay at the side of the pool in allocated seating.
Parents of children in the starfish programme should have been contacted with details about their child’s lesson times.
If you have not been contacted, email Amanda.Murdoch@renfrewshire.gov. uk or call 0300 300 0250.
We cannot wait to welcome our customers back