Sport and Leisure

Reading’s Leisure Centres Set to Reopen from 3rd August

Reading Leisure Centres

READING COUNCIL leisure centres are set to open at the beginning of August.

Reading Sport and Leisure (RSL) centres at Meadway Sports Centre, Palmer Park Sports Stadium and South Reading Leisure Centre will reopen from Monday 3rd August. It will be a phased reopening with the safety of the public and staff as a top priority. The Council will be closely following the national guidance and governing body safety recommendations, including measures such as an enhanced cleaning schedule at all centres and staff working in small ‘bubbles’ to reduce the risk of transmission. Centres will display clear safety guidance signage and where appropriate, queuing and one-way systems. To begin with, centre opening times will be reduced and the number and variety of activities offered will be limited to allow for social distancing guidelines. Customers will need to pre-book gym, exercise classes and swimming online at www.readingleisure.co.uk or by calling the leisure centre direct. The new opening times can also be viewed on the RSL website. Find out more about how everything will work here: www.readingleisure.co.uk/centre-re-opening-updates The pool at South Reading will be welcoming back swimming clubs. It will also offer a small number of public adult lane swimming sessions. Numbers will be limited due to restrictions with changing room space, following Swim England safety guidance. Initially communal areas will be closed off. Changing rooms will only be available for the use of toilets, with showers closed. The number of people using the swimming pool changing rooms will be limited and we are asking members to change at home first where possible. Meadway pool will remain closed for now. The outdoor track facilities have already opened to clubs at Palmer Park. The gym will reopen on 3rd August. The Council is asking all visitors to follow the safety guidance when visiting leisure centres:
  • If you are feeling unwell or have any coronavirus symptoms (a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell), please do not visit our centres
  • Only visit if you have booked a session via www.readingleisure.co.uk
  • Please help everyone maintain a minimum 2m distance and don’t be offended when others try to maintain a distance from you.
  • Wear a face covering if you can. It is not mandatory but contributes to protecting others.
  • Please be patient if you need to queue and follow the marked 2m queuing lanes outside our centres. Inside please follow our one-way system where possible.
  • Wash your hands before and after you visit. Hand sanitiser will be provided for you to use.
  • Use the spray disinfectant provided to clean the equipment you’ve used.
  • Please note there is no casual access for use of centre toilets.
  • Please change at home as there will be very limited changing room access.

Cllr Jason Brock, Leader of the Council, said:

“We are really pleased to be able to invite people back to our leisure facilities, after such a long stretch of being closed. Our leisure team has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes in preparation for opening our doors again. With safety as our main priority, there is a lot to make sure we get absolutely right. “Like many other Council services that are reopening, this will be a phased process to ensure all the right safety measures are in place and that we can allow for social distancing and enhanced cleaning routines. We are asking everyone to be patient with us as in the early stages this will not be an immediate return to a normal, full leisure service, but we hope in time to build on the offer. “Our centres will initially look and work quite differently to normal – with queuing and one-way systems and you will need to pre-book any activities. Re-introducing swimming, for example, is one of our biggest challenges. “Please only visit if you have booked in advance. We are asking everyone to follow the safety guidance when visiting our centres, including maintaining a 2m distance from others and good hygiene practice, such as regular use of the hand sanitiser we’ve provided and wiping down the equipment you’ve used with spray disinfectant. “You can find out more about what to expect at www.readingleisure.co.uk” RSL will continue to provide its free virtual exercise classes www.readingleisure.co.uk/exercise-classes Rivermead, operated by Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), reopened on 25 July. Find out more at www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/reading/rivermead-leisure-complex