Phased reopening for leisure centres and swimming pools

Following new lockdown guidance from Welsh Government, Bridgend County Borough Council and its leisure partners Halo are making arrangements for the safe, phased reopening of local leisure facilities.

New measures are being introduced to help keep people safe so that life centres can reopen in stages starting from 10 August, and swimming pools can reopen in early September.

The preparations are in line with thousands of gyms and leisure centres across Wales as they prepare to reopen as part of the Fit Together campaign from the fitness industry trade body, UK Active.

As part of the phased reopening, centres and activities will be made available gradually:

Monday 10 August

• Bridgend Life Centre – gym, group exercise classes, toning suite.
• Maesteg Sports Centre – gym and group exercise classes.
• Ynysawdre Fitness Centre – gym.

Wednesday 12 August

• Garw Valley Life Centre – gym and group exercise classes.
• Ogmore Valley Life Centre – gym and group exercise classes.

Tuesday 1 September

• Pencoed – gym.
• Pyle – gym.

Bridgend County Borough Council and Halo Leisure provide local centres together as part of the Bridgend Healthy Living Partnership. The pandemic is not over, and we are working closely to ensure that facilities can reopen in a safe and sensible manner. You can expect to see new signage in place offering clear directions on how facilities must be used, plenty of sanitation stations, greater spacing between the equipment and regular cleansing to ensure that the highest possible standards of hygiene can be maintained.

To prevent overcrowding and support social distancing, you will only be able to access the centres by pre-booking an activity in advance, either by using the Halo Leisure App or by phoning one of the local centres directly - walk-in or casual visits will not be possible until further notice. For the time being, changing rooms and showers will be unavailable, so customers will need to arrive on site wearing the appropriate clothing for your planned activity.

I hope that people will work alongside us as we seek to reintroduce these well-used facilities while keeping people as safe as possible. With similar arrangements in development for the reopening of swimming pools at Bridgend, Maesteg, Pencoed, Pyle and Ynysawdre, we are working towards further provisional dates from September onwards.”

Councillor Dhanisha Patel, Cabinet Member for Well-Being and Future Generations

Scott Rolfe, Chief Executive of Halo, said: “We want to reassure customers our facilities will be clean, safe and ready to welcome them back soon, but if they have concerns, then staff will be able to explain all the changes when they return or by phone on 01432 842075 or info@haloleisure.org.uk

“Everything you need to know about returning to Halo safely and surely can be found on the Halo website. Fitness and leisure facilities are part of the social fabric of our society, and it’s clear our sector has a vital role to play in our resilience and recovery from Covid-19.

“We know that people have missed being active together in our facilities, and customer and staff safety will be our number one priority when we reopen.”

• Visit haloleisure.org.uk/welcome-back-info to find out what is available at your local centre.