Leisure For Life Facilities to Re-open on a Phased Programme

Leisure for Life’s gyms, fitness classes and swimming pools will re-open from Monday, August 10, with a phased approach relating to the activities available.

As of 10th August, gym facilities will re-open at all sites with the exception of Llantwit Fardre, which unfortunately does not currently meet Covid-19 regulations

This will be followed by the introduction of indoor fitness classes on 17th August and swimming pools from 24th August.

The decision by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council follows the Welsh Government announcement on July 31, confirming it was safe to open indoor leisure facilities as long as it could be done in a safe way that adhered to social distancing and public health guidelines.

Leisure for Life staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare some leisure facilities ready for the welcomed return of customers – while also delivering professional home-based workouts and an extensive programme of outdoor fitness classes that continue to run at six locations across RCT.

There are a number of measures that are being implemented to maintain customer and staff safety and ensure we are able to meet the current regulations pertaining to indoor physical activity.

Opening hours for all facilities will be different to those prior to lockdown – individual site opening hours will be advertised via Facebook, the Leisure for Life App and website.

All sessions and classes will need to be booked in advance and there will be different/limited capacity compared to pre-March 2020.

Social distancing measures will apply in all areas, as well as one way and queuing systems; preferable cashless entry and the sanitising of the facilities between sessions.

Changing and showering facilities are currently unavailable at all sites and customers will need to attend the site ready to train.

Please note: We cannot currently offer:

· Health suite facilities

· Swimming lessons (adult and child)

· Children’s parties

· Soft play sessions

· Court sports – including 5 a side; netball; badminton; squash and martial arts. We will be actively working with governing bodies and clubs to re-introduce these activities in the next few weeks and as regulations change.

Customers are reminded these are unprecedented times for all involved and that, as the service begins its phased re-opening, it will be a very different one from the one that was closed in March 2020 and their continued patience and co-operation is very much appreciated.

All Leisure for Life monthly/annual members can use facilities (gym and outdoor classes from August 10; indoor classes will be available from August 17; and general swimming (main pools only no lessons) from August 24) for the rest of August in line with the payments made up to and including March 2020.

Memberships will be re-activated from mid-day on Friday 7th August, to allow customers to book sessions spaces up to seven days in advance. No payment will be taken for August.

Customers who feel uncertain about returning at the moment can continue to freeze their membership by contacting leisurememberships@rctcbc.gov.uk or contacting their local leisure centre.

We would encourage all customers who feel nervous about returning to contact their preferred leisure centre from Monday 10th August to discuss the safeguards that have been put in place.

Those members who wish to continue to pay for activities as they use them can book 24hrs in advance and pay for their activities via the web, Leisure for Life APP or ringing the leisure centre and making a contactless payment.

Leisure facilities will have staff answering calls at specific times this weekend – check your local/preferred leisure centre’s facebook page – to deal with queries and take bookings. Further information will be forwarded via Facebook and the Leisure for Life APP.

Councillor Ann Crimmings Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “I’m delighted we can welcome our valued customers back from August 10 in a phased manner.

“Leisure for Life staff have worked hard over recent weeks to ensure staff and customers can return to a safe, but very different, environment. The phased approach to opening is the safest way of ensuring the buildings can safely cope with customers wishing to exercise.

“Currently there are over 10,000 session spaces available to use the gym each week and there will be more spaces available once the fitness classes and pools become available in the next few weeks.

“Our current programme of outdoor classes has been a hit with customers even though the weather has not always been on our side.

“We will actively working with all other sporting governing bodies over the next few weeks to re-introduce more activities. As guidelines relax we will amend our service provision to react to the changes in a positive manner.

“I would like to thank the staff for adapting to these guidelines and dealing with the challenges presented by the pandemic to re-open our facilities.

“I would also like to thank leisure staff who were actively involved in assisting the Council in its efforts throughout the pandemic – packing and delivering food parcels, working on school hubs, manning public conveniences, delivering meals on wheels and working with resilience hubs while leisure services were postponed.”

Get the latest news and information, check opening times and available sessions and book online via the Leisure for Life APP or by searching for and following Leisure for Life on Facebook, twitter and Instagram. You can also search for and like your local/preferred Leisure Centre on Facebook.