Blue Pool to reopen next week!

MELKSHAM Blue Pool will finally reopen next week on Monday 10th August.

In line with government and industry guidelines, the gym, group classes and the swimming pool will be available while swimming lessons for children will recommence from 7th September onwards.

Members will be required to book sessions (gym, classes and swim) in advance via the Places Locker app or website – lane swimming sessions will be 45 minutes long, with 20 places available; and gym sessions will be one hour long, with 10 places available.

Places Leisure, who have the contract with Wiltshire Council to manage the facility, said, “Although it’s a little different from simply turning up, it is the best way for you to plan and know with certainty that a place is available. It means we can control the footfall in key areas as well as the centre as a whole; we have large centres so this is a key feature of maintaining social distancing. Plus, it saves our teams handling cash.

“Please book all sessions in advance. If you arrive at the centre without pre-booking, you may not be able to enter and take part in your activity. If a space is available, we will allow you to book a slot. If you’re having difficulty booking online, please contact your local centre.

“You can view timetables and book sessions 14 days in advance of the centre re-opening. Please note that you will only be able to take part in the activity in the centre that you have pre-booked. After your session has ended, we ask that you leave the centre to ensure our total visitor count remains safe.”

Places Leisure has also introduced a number of ‘cleanliness and social distancing’ procedures to keep staff and customers safe and prevent the spread of Covid-19. Facilities will be cleaned between each session, plastic screens have been set up in reception, and sanitising spray and wipes will be provided around the centre for use on equipment and lockers. 

Melksham Blue Pool has been closed for almost five months. Indoor gyms, sports facilities and pools were given the go-ahead by the government to reopen on 25th July – but Wiltshire Council and Places Leisure announced a phased opening of leisure centres across the county.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for leisure, said, “Our teams have worked hard to put the arrangements in place to be able to provide leisure services again during the pandemic. This is a new way of providing services, and we ask people to bear with us while we reopen in a careful and phased way.

“We have closely followed government advice to ensure that when each centre opens it’s as safe as possible for our staff and customers. Our friendly and attentive staff are eager to welcome people back and as time goes on, we hope we can introduce more services for all to enjoy.”

For more information about the reopening of Melksham Blue Pool, visit the website:  www.placesleisure.org/reopening/faqs