Life after lockdown: Atherstone complex prepares to get in the swim of things for return to leisure

CHANGES TO SERVICE AND OTHER SAFETY MEASURES TO BE INTRODUCED AT LONG STREET CENTRE

RESULTS OF 'TELL US WHAT REALLY WANT' SURVEY ON FUTURE FACILITIES AWAITED

COUNCIL bosses have peeked into the future to allow residents a glimpse of what to expect when Atherstone Leisure Complex reopens its doors to a "new normal" environment.

Details of changes to the service and other measures to be introduced at the Long Street centre have been unveiled.

Last month Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden indicated that leisure centres could be back in business in the middle of July – four months after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And, as North Warwickshire Borough Council looks towards returning to sport and leisure activities while awaiting Government approval, the local authority has revealed new ways of operating.

The local authority has created a new webpage specifically to provide information and updates while working hard behind the scenes to implement a number of safety, distancing and hygiene measures to allow the public to "return with confidence" to various venues.

As part of this process the borough council has signed up to the sectors governing association 'ukactive' to be part of the 'Fit Together' campaign.

Throughout the Atherstone complex one-way systems, floor marking and signage will aid social distancing and there will be hygiene stations, with spray bottles and hand sanitiser.

Cleaning and hygiene practices will also be stepped up and contactless payment will be preferred.

All sites will now conform to Public Health England and ukactive guidelines.

• Pre-booking required;
• Swiping in at the swim door - not at reception;
• A changing room one-way system - entering through group change and exiting through main change;
• Changing room numbers limited and social distancing mandatory;
• Spray and wipes available to clean changing room surfaces after use;
• Showers unavailable post-swim;
• Toilets available, but numbers limited in the area;
• Needing to turn up 'swim ready' with costume on under clothes;
• Spending minimal time in the changing room getting ready;
• Taking belongings poolside;
• Mandatory pre-swim shower before entering the pool;
• Main pool lane-only swimming initially – with a one-way 'loop' system in operation; and
• The swim programme altered to allow safe entry and exit of changing rooms and for social distancing.

In the gym, pre-booking will also be required and the number of people admitted at one time will be reduced.

Equipment will be spaced for social distancing and members will be encouraged to wipe down kit before and after use.

Instructors and staff will be present throughout the day to ensure safety and support.

Advanced booking will be necessary for fitness classes and there will be limited spaces due to social distancing measures.

Some sessions will have limited use of equipment and others will be relocated if required.

Meanwhile, results are awaited after households in Atherstone and district were asked to "come clean" on their exercise habits in a survey designed to help advise councillors on what the future direction of leisure across the borough should be.

The questionnaire aims to find out what "prevents" local people taking regular workouts and which leisure facilities would "encourage" them to do more activity.

The poll is part of a strategic review by the North Warwickshire authority aimed at determining the right path for delivery of its leisure and physical activity service provision across the area.

It has engaged Middlesex management firm Max Associates as its consultants to support this project at a cost of £53,000.

A report to the council's Community and Environment Board in March said Atherstone LC – built in 1975 with a Millennium makeover finishing in 2001 and currently closed through Covid-19 – is skirting with "infrastructure failure" and basically past its sell-by-date.

It is "beyond being capable of accommodating any form of extensive refurbishment and so any form of infrastructure failure would be seen as its responsibility".

The closing date for the survey was June 7.