Great news that Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, St Crispin's Leisure Centre, Arborfield Leisure Centre and Ryeish Green Sports Hub will reopen from Monday 3 August!
Conservative Cllr Parry Batth, (executive member for environment and leisure and borough council member for Shinfield North) said: “We are really pleased the government has now eased COVID-19 restrictions meaning that indoor gym and leisure centres can now reopen. However, COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and it’s important that we continue to social distance and keep up good hygiene practices.
“We are busy working behind the scenes preparing the centres to open safely on 3 August. The centres will look and feel a bit different for a while but that is to ensure all our customers and staff are protected. Strict measures will be been put in place to ensure cleanliness and safety and we would encourage people to familiarise themselves with how the centres will operate.
“We can’t wait to welcome you back. Our leisure centres are key to ensuring our residents stay fit and active. We know that being physically fit and healthy also has a positive impact on our mental wellbeing.”
Tony Penge, contract manager – Wokingham, Places Leisure, said: “It is great to be able to announce that our leisure facilities can now re-open for our local community to enjoy. The centres’ staff have been hard at work ensuring vital safety measures are in place for yours and our teams safety – which is paramount.
“Our leisure centres are at the heart of our communities and we look forward to welcoming you back safely to enjoy our facilities once more.”
New measures in place
A number of new measures are being introduced at the leisure centres to ensure customers and staff are safe. Changes will include additional wall and floor signage to ensure everyone respects social distancing, enhanced cleaning in gym, changing rooms and toilets as well as introducing hand sanitising and cleaning stations for people to use before and after exercising and for wiping down equipment.
There will be smaller classes for group exercise to ensure people can maintain a safe distance and some of the gym equipment will be repositioned, but there will be enough space for everyone to enjoy a workout. From Monday 3 August, the gym and group exercise classes will be open, and other sports such as badminton and squash will resume from Monday 17 August.
And Loddon Valley Leisure Centre’s swimming pool will also reopen for lane swimming, family swimming and aquacise from Monday 10 August.
More information
Current customers of the leisure centres have been told the facilities will reopen from Monday 3 August. They will be asked to pre-book group classes, swimming lanes and gym stations. Visit the Places Leisure website for more information on centre opening times and a list of activities that are available at each centre. The customer FAQs webpage details how customers can book each activity. A film explaining how the leisure centre will work is also available on YouTube
The eagerly awaited multi-million pound Bulmershe Leisure Centre will open its doors for the very first time on 17 August.
It will open several weeks after the other centres in the borough to ensure all new gym equipment is installed, staff recruited and fully trained.
Free Tours of the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre offered to residents!
Ahead of the opening next month, the borough council is offering residents the chance to take a tour of the new centre. These will take place on:
- Tuesday 4 August between 5pm and 9pm
- Thursday 6 August between 5pm and 9pm
- Saturday 8 August between 9am to 4pm
- Sunday 9 August between 9am to 4pm
- Tuesday 11 August between 5pm and 9pm
- Thursday 13 August between 5pm and 9pm
- Saturday 15 August between 9am to 4pm
- Sunday 16 August between 9am to 4pm
Places must be booked in advance and tours will be given to individuals or one household at a time and strict social distancing will need to be adhered to. Anyone interested in joining should visit the council's eventbrite webpage to book a place on the Bulmershe leisure centre tour.
If you are interested in membership at the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre, please email: [email protected].
