Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Time Capsule is back in the swim
.. and leisure centre returns to action
Swimming resumed at the Time Capsule on Monday – but its popular waterpark is staying shut for now, with only its 25m pool open for lane swimming and clubs in this month’s first phase.
Both the Coatbridge attraction and nearby Airdrie Leisure Centre will finally be welcoming back customers after a closure of almost exactly six months.
The 25m pool at the Time Capsule is one of three swimming facilities in North Lanarkshire which have reopened, along with Wishaw and Tryst in Cumbernauld. However, no date has been set for reopening the waterpark.
Venue operators North Lanarkshire Leisure (NLL) said: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back and have been working very hard with North Lanarkshire Council and all partners to ensure all safety measures and procedures are in place and in line with the most upto-date government advice.
“Safety is of paramount importance and we have made a number of changes to the way our venues will operate for the safety of our customers and our staff – we will publish these on our website so you can familiarise yourselves with them before returning to our venues.”
NLL added of its other facilities, which include John Smith Swimming Pool in Airdrie: “We have not finalised dates for the next phase of reopening as of yet, but as soon as we have further details, we will update our website and [social media] channels.”
Time Capsule visitors will be able to book lane swimming and family “bubble” sessions during some unprogrammed sessions, while swimming lessons will resume from October 5 and programme members will be contacted directly.
Returning swimmers are being asked to arrive “beach ready” for their dip in the pool as part of the changes for the reopening.
NLL say: “To access our pools, all swimmers must arrive ‘beach ready’ in their swimsuits already under clothes, [ and] book and pay before attending their session.
“Stay away if you are d i s p l aying Covid- 19 symptoms.
“On arr ival, some venue staff may carry out temperature checks.”
Time Capsule swimmers will also need to wear face coverings “outwith the activity area” and maintain social distancing, and they will be asked not to arrive early “to reduce the amount of people in the venue”, as well as being “encouraged to leave soon after their swim” without congregating in the centre or car park.
Direct debit memberships which are paid monthly have resumed since Monday but NLL say that “no payments will be taken for the period to October 4 to compensate for the lost time in March,” while annual memberships “will automatically be extended to cover time lost during the closure”.
The NLL statement adds: “If you have a single-site membership you will have access to your nearest venue; if you’re not quite ready to get back to your membership yet, you can cancel your direct debit any time before September 30 and won’t be charged anything further.”
Physical distancing will be required at sports facilities, while guidance and risk assessments also include measures involving contact details for Test and Protect.
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back and have been working very hard to ensure all safety measures are in place