Slowly but surely our communities are returning to normal and we are thrilled to finally play our part in it…
Our doors have been closed for what seems like an age, yet behind those doors we have been working hard, planning, changing and seeking expert advice to make sure your leisure centre facilities are there when you need them, and as safe as possible to use.
During lockdown, we have of course been doing everything we possibly could to reach out to the communities, families and customers old and new that we serve. We worked to offer remote workout classes from online specialists Les Mills with free access and discounted subscriptions. We also communicated regularly with customers via social media, our website and the InspireAll app to offer workouts, guidance and hints and tips to keep the local community active.
As those early weeks of closure turned into months we also placed a strong focus on every aspect of our facilities and services and the things that would be needed on reopening…
With that important mission in mind, InspireAll reached out to our customers to find out how they felt about returning. The survey told us that many were excited to return and would use facilities the same or even more upon reopening, realising the importance of health and wellbeing to their everyday lives.
It also identified that cleanliness and social distancing were the two biggest concerns held by members about returning. This valuable feedback has been used by InspireAll to further shape measures within all our centres. Not just to abide by strict new national laws and guidelines but also to address and overcome these natural concerns.
InspireAll is putting the safety of our teams and customers at the heart of our reopening plans. Working closely with UKActive, Swim England and following government guidance has helped to further inform these plans to ensure everyone is kept safe.
For our customers, that means things will look a little different when we welcome you back. One-way systems and queuing for activities have been implemented to help customers make their way safely around our centres and you will see Perspex screens installed in areas such as reception desks which will be staffed by one person to allow for social distancing. Regular hand sanitisation stations are also located in key areas around the facilities.
A range of activities will be available, but to ensure these comply with social distancing rules some equipment will be spaced out, temporarily unavailable or marked as ‘out of use’. Changing rooms and showers will also be limited, meaning that 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 also be an increase in our cleaning regimes, including key touchpoints such as doors, handles, kiosks and equipment.
Upon reopening, gym, swimming and classes must all be booked in advance. Timetables and sessions will be regularly reviewed to ensure that availability is meeting the demand safely. Gaps in the programmes will allow for additional cleaning between sessions. For swimmers, double lanes will be available to maintain social distancing and swimmers should arrive ready to swim.
Finally, and reassuringly there are two things that, over the period of closure and planning for our reopening, haven’t changed.
The first is our commitment to the people who rely on the services we provide and for our customers; the importance of those services and being able to make the most of them once again.
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back safely.
