North Herts leisure centres and indoor pools get ready to reopen

PR Date: Wednesday, 15 July 2020 - 5:45pm

North Herts District Council (NHDC) and SLL are pleased to announce that the final preparations are being made to their leisure centres and indoor pools in Hitchin, Letchworth and Royston to make sure that they are safe for customers and staff to return on 25 July 2020.

There will be a number of changes within the centres to ensure that customers feel comfortable and safe and can use the facilities in complete confidence. These include one way systems and signage to guide customers on how to act safely and responsibly.

As the centres reopen, a range of activities will be available including the gym, classes and lane swimming. To ensure these activities comply with social distancing rules and are offered in a safe environment, some of the gym equipment will be spaced out, temporarily unavailable or marked ‘out of use’. A range of classes will be available, however timetables will have changed and will be constantly reviewed. Lane swimming will be available in the pools and swimming lessons will resume from Monday 27 July.

Activities will need to be pre-booked to ensure that the number of people taking part in each activity can be monitored. Booking for activities will be available up to seven days in advance on www.sll.co.uk

The use of changing rooms and showers will be limited. Customers will be asked to arrive at the centres dressed ready for their activity, bringing only essential items.

Along with social distancing restrictions, there will be an increase in the cleaning of equipment and hand sanitiser stations will be available to ensure the highest possible standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

The temporary measures will be adapted as and when government advice changes throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Further information is available on www.sll.co.uk and customers will be contacted in the coming days.

Richard Allan SLL Operations Director said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the sport and leisure industry, and we have been working hard during lockdown, to ensure that the facilities are as safe and accessible as possible for our returning customers. There will inevitably be some changes to the facilities and the programmes when we reopen, and we ask that all our customers help us, themselves, and other customers by following all of the safety measures which we have put in place."   

Cllr Steve Jarvis, NHDC’s Executive Member for Leisure added: “We would like to reassure all customers that their safety is our top priority, but we need our staff and customers to work together to observe the measures in place. We look forward to seeing you soon.”