Leisure centres are opening - don't forget to book
Published: Wednesday, 22 July, 2020
Reopening dates for Stroud District Council’s leisure centres have been confirmed – and to ensure everyone’s safety, new rules are in place.
Stratford Park Leisure Centre will open the gym and a modified group exercise timetable from Saturday, July 25, and The Pulse in Dursley will reopen on Monday, July 27. The Pulse’s pool will open for lessons, lane swimming and public swimming, and the gym and exercise classes will restart.
Appointments must be made for all activities.
Both centres have been shut since lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic but a skeleton staff has been working hard to ensure they would be ready to be reopened safely, after the Government eased lockdown measures.
A wide range of measures to keep everyone safe means customers must observe new rules and book ahead. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must not attend, and details will be taken for track and trace purposes.
Unfortunately the open air Lido at Stratford Park Leisure Centre cannot be reopened this year because the long lead time to prepare and fill it would leave only a short period before it shuts again on September 1. However improving the Lido with the Friends of the Lido group remains a commitment in the council’s Corporate Delivery Plan and it is planned to reopen in May next year as usual.
The reopening of the indoor pool at Stratford Park, as well as other activities and facilities will follow in a phased approach.
Councillor Mattie Ross, Chair of Stroud District Council’s Community Services & Licensing Committee said:
“The health and wellbeing of our communities is one of the council’s top priorities and reopening both centres is an important step to making sure we deliver on that.
“As we recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, we plan to open more sessions and facilities, after what has been a very tough time with no customer income for either facility.”
COVID-19 compliance procedures will ensure social distancing is managed throughout both centres and regular cleaning will be maintained. Full details of operator Everyone Active’s measures at Stratford Park Leisure Centre can be found at www.everyoneactive.com/reopeningmeasures and similar information on The Pulse can be seen at www.pulsedursley.co.uk/
Jamie Nesbit, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said:
“Ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe is our number one priority and we have carefully considered the strict measurements to ensure we adhere to the guidance. We will be contacting all customers directly over the coming days. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and thanking them for their patience.”
The Pulse General Manager Angela Gillingham said:
“We are so excited to welcome everyone back, and the team is getting in touch with members and those who take part in our Learn 2 Swim programme. The safety of everyone at The Pulse is paramount, so a new timetable will be implemented, as well as rules and guidance on how the centre can be accessed.”
Keep up to date with The Pulse on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thepulsedursley and Stratford Park Leisure Centre at www.facebook.com/eaStratfordPark