Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Time Capsule to open doors
The Time Capsule will reopen this Friday – but only four days per week during school term time.
It will “temporarily” be shut on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while a maximum of 100 swimmers will now need to pre-book to attend each timed session at the Coatbridge attraction.
The centre will still open seven days per week during school holidays, beginning from Friday – the first day of a long weekend.
Venue operators North Lanarkshire Leisure (NLL) told the Advertiser: “Due to the significant costs we’re anticipating this financial year, the decision has been made to temporarily reduce the days of operation.
“We will be operating the waterpark in a Covid-secure environment on a phased return to normal operation.
“The waterpark wi l l operate with a reduction in capacity, with set session times which must be booked prior to arrival.
“Pre-covid, the waterpark operated seven days per week with a continuous session control system; the change to the reduced operation will allow a strict cleaning process between each session.
“Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to operate with pre-covid opening times and normal visitor levels.”
During term time, the waterpark will be open for two sessions on Thursdays and Fridays, beginning at 4pm and 6pm, and will operate four 90- minute sessions at weekends, at 10am, 12.15pm, 2.30pm and 4.45pm.
The facility, which includes flumes, a wave pool, river rapids and water play area, will be open every day during holiday periods, running the four weekend session times daily.
The ice rink is scheduled to reopen for the first time in nearly seven months on Monday, October 5 – for up to 40 skaters at a time – and is scheduled to be followed a week later by its soft play.
NLL say: “All new procedures and full details on how the waterpark will operate will be released in the coming days, and more information on bookings and guidelines will be available soon.”
The centre’s 25m pool and gym are reopening on Monday, and are among the first six NLL facilities to welcome back customers.
New rules include users having to pre-book sessions in advance to manage numbers and provide Test and Protect details, asking them to arrive “beach or gym ready”, and limiting gym sessions to one- hour slots and swims to 45 minutes.
Changing rooms for the gym will not be available; some equipment, including individual exercise mats, has been removed and users are asked to “clean every piece of kit before and after use”.
Sessions in the pool will be divided into lane swimming with fast, medium and slow sections; family “bubble” sessions with sectioned-off pool areas for up to six people from the same household group and general swimming with no restrictions other than regular physical distancing.
Information for pool users states: “Incoming swimmers are encouraged not to use the limited changing facilities if possible.
“A prep zone will be available where you can remove any clothing over your swimming kit. These will be marked out areas on the poolside.
“Upon finishing your session, you can access a cubicle if required – however all swimmers are expected to change as quickly as possible in the same prep zone.
“A very limited number of showers will be available to use before swimming. However, swimmers are encouraged to shower at home before and after their sessions [and] depending on the facility, showers may not be available after your swim.”
NLL add: “We have been working extremely hard behind the scenes in anticipation for the return and have created some simple rules to make our venues a safe place for everyone.
“We have deep cleaned every venue and will [do so] every day and during each day as much as possible. We have reduced the equipment available to comply with social distancing, and will ensure all staff members wear masks.”