A number of recreation centers reopened in southern Somerset this week as government restrictions on coronaviruses are relaxed across the UK.
The South Somerset District Council, owned by Goldenstones Leisure Center, Westlands Sport and Fitness Center and Wincanton Sports Center, opened on Monday April 12 under new management.
Freedom Leisure took over the management of the leisure facilities in Yeovil and Wincanton on behalf of the council on April 1.
Area manager at Freedom Leisure, Tarida Mitcham, explained the stringent new Covid protocols in place at swimming pools when guests are welcome.
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She said: “We have set up specific sessions for the gym, swimming pool and for restricted classes so that we are Covid compliant.
“We encourage people to book in advance to make sure you get a spot, because we don’t want people to show up and find out there isn’t a spot – but you can show up and see if there is availability.
“We have set up Covid-distance, so you keep your distance of two meters and we have disinfectants at all of our points of entry.
“And when you get into the pool, especially at Goldenstones, you’ll go in and you get a basket and that basket will give you a number for your cabin.” It will be your cabin for your swim.
“So you come in, change your clothes, you take that basket by the pool and when you come out of the pool you walk into your cabin to find out then that you are the only one in that cabin at that time.
“We then have breaks between each session so that we can clean the areas ready to welcome the next people.
“We have a lot of processes in place to keep everyone safe.”
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The recreation center manager added, “There are some differences from site to site, so the Wincanton Pool is slightly different from the Goldenstones Pool due to the way it’s set up.
“We ask that you prepare for the pool so that it is easy to change by the pool in Wincanton and then you will have your cabin after.
“Each center always has sessions with the time between cleaning processes.”
Freedom Leisure will also operate the new facilities currently under construction at Chard as part of Chard’s regeneration program.
When it reopens, most of the activities of the three centers are available, including the gym, swimming and racquet sports; while children’s swimming lessons will resume on April 19.
As per government guidelines, indoor group exercise classes will not be available immediately, but they are expected to start again in May.
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Outdoor and online courses have been made available in the meantime.
Nicola Hix, South Somerset District Council Director of Support Services and Strategy, said: “It is extremely exciting to see these sites reopen safely and to be able to start providing leisure activities for our residents.
“We really look forward to working with Freedom Leisure to offer a range of activities in South Somerset and offer even more to our communities from our facilities in Yeovil and Wincanton, as well as the extremely exciting new center which is currently under construction in Chard.
“We are committed to providing the best possible leisure facilities in South Somerset and we know that Freedom Leisure’s values match our own.”
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-14 13:22:51
