Reopening plans confirmed for Haven Point and South Tyneside's other swimming pools, gyms and other leisure facilities in South Shields, Jarrow and Hebburn - what you need to know ahead of April 12

South Tyneside Council’s leisure centres have remained closed for more than three months, under Government restrictions, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In keeping with the gradual relaxation of the restrictions under Step 2 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, the Council is preparing to reopen all six of its leisure sites for indoor sports and activities.

Swim and gym

From 12 April, centres will be offering swimming and gym sessions.

Covid-secure measures previously implemented will be reinstated with more swim and gym sessions to help support social distancing. As such, all sessions will be time-limited with users required to book their sessions in advance.

Under the Step 2 restrictions, indoor training can return for under 18s. Users of swimming pools and gyms can visit alone or with their household. The Café takeaway service will also be reinstated.

How to book

Leisure members will be able to reserve their spaces using the new online booking system, or by calling a centre.

Get Active discount card holders can also pre-book their sessions by calling centres.

:: Haven Point - 0191 424 7800

:: Hebburn Central - 0191 424 7801

:: Temple Park Centre - 0191 456 9119

:: Jarrow Focus - 0191 489 4100

:: Monkton Stadium - 0191 489 1283

Exercise and dance classes

Indoor group exercise sessions, such as instructor-led fitness and dance classes, will remain suspended at this time under the Government restrictions.

Some sporting facilities, such as grassroots football at Temple Park and athletics at Monkton Stadium, had already returned from March 29.

David Brooks, South Tyneside Council’s corporate lead for Culture and Leisure Services, said: “We know that the next step in the roadmap out of lockdown is much anticipated among our leisure users, with people eager to start enjoying the borough’s indoor leisure facilities once again after more than three months of closure.

“We are working hard to have all our centres ready to reopen safely and welcome people back from 12 April. However, it is important to remember that, despite restrictions being relaxed, there will still be rules to follow to support the Government’s Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air guidance.

“This means that some areas, such as the fitness changing rooms, hair drying facilities and sauna and steam rooms, will remain unavailable at this time. Swimmers and gym users will be encouraged to arrive ‘beach ready’ or ready to exercise. Sessions must be booked in advance.”

When will exercise classes, soft play and sauna and steam rooms reopen?

Leisure chiefs say they anticipate indoor group exercise classes, organised training sessions, soft play and sauna and steam rooms, will be able to reopen, with social distance restrictions still in place from 17 May (Roadmap Step 3), with no legal limits on social contact from 21 June (Step 4).

David added: “If the Government’s roadmap remains on track, then we will see the return of the council’s full core of activities – swim, gym and fitness included – from 17 May.

“In the meantime, we would urge our leisure members to support us by respecting the rules in place and be sensible to help keep themselves, their families, our staff and others safe. We thank our leisure users for their patience, understanding and support at this time.”

Membership fees

The council said it was freezing membership fees until June 1, 2021, as a gesture of goodwill and ‘to allow customers time to familiarise themselves with the arrangements’.

Regardless of membership type (Duo and Multi-activity and Pay Yearly), members will be able to use the council’s gyms and swimming pools for free until 1 June.

Those who have paid their membership upfront for the full year will have the additional time added onto their membership expiry date.

Information about South Tyneside leisure centres, the facilities available, booking instructions and what people need to know before they visit, is available on the council’s website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/leisure

Follow South Tyneside Council on social media: Facebook STynesideCouncil and on Twitter @STyneLeisure

Details of the latest Government restrictions and the impact of coronavirus on South Tyneside Council services can be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/coronavirus

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