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It’s Time…Aquatics

Public swimming, family sessions, Learn to Swim and club sessions are available at –

  • Auchenharvie
  • Garnock Community Campus (Learn to Swim will follow shortly)
  • Portal
  • Vikingar!

Things will be a little different to begin with so the following information provides you with everything you need to know to make a safe return to aquatic activities.

Swimming Pool timetables are available to view here.

We understand that your facility may not be open just yet.  Please remember your membership still gives you access to all other available pools.

Before your visit

Stay home if you’re unwell.  Please don’t visit our venues if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms.  For more information on the symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if you feel unwell visit here.

Bring your own.  If you can, please bring your own equipment/aids with you (floats, kick boards etc.) ensuring they are clean and identifiable as yours before you arrive.

Arrive ‘ready to swim’.  Please come wearing your swimwear under your clothing as there will be limited access to changing rooms.  Don’t worry our toilets will still be open for you to use.

Travel light.  We won’t have as many lockers available as usual within the pool changing areas, so please think about how much you’re bringing with you.  There will also be limited access to shower facilities with pre-swim showers available but no post-swim showering.  Showering at home pre and post swimming will help minimise time spent in the changing rooms and help maintain the water quality.

Pre-book.  You will need to book your swim session in advance.  Initially, all sessions will be lane swimming. Due to physical distancing measures, we have limited capacity for activities.  You can book your swim session using our online booking system or by contacting reception.

Please note that apart from the early morning lane swimming session which is an hour duration, all other public lane swimming sessions are of 40-minute durations with 20 minutes to get changed and exit the changing area before the next session.

Read Our Health Commitment Statement.  Before you visit the pool we expect all customers to read our Health Commitment Statement.  What’s a Health Commitment Statement?  The Health Commitment Statement sets the standards that health and fitness centres and facility users can reasonably expect from each other, concerning the health of the user.

Fit4Access.  Fit4Access is a new online platform designed to help provide greater safety and reassurance to everyone in our facilities. Both staff and customers will be asked to complete an online health check through Fit4Access.  It will ensure the safety of everyone who comes back into our facilities. On completion, you will receive a Fit4Access pass which you must show at reception prior to taking part in your activity.

Before you receive your pass you must read our new Code of Conduct and answer three TRUE or FALSE questions.  It is important for everyone to understand what to expect before they return.

 

For more information on Fit4Access and how to get your pass click here.

Keeping You Safe

We can’t wait to see you again, but your safety is our number one priority. That’s why we’re introducing enhanced cleaning procedures, one-way systems and physical distancing measures.

Sanitising Stations. Customers will be encouraged to sanitise their hands at reception and additional hand sanitiser units have been positioned at key areas across our facilities.

Cleaning and disinfecting. We’ll be sanitising touchpoints and pool equipment and cleaning facilities throughout the day.  However, you will notice slight changes to our opening hours, with areas closed at set periods throughout the day.  This will give our teams the opportunity to conduct further cleans throughout our venues.

Physical distancing. We’ve added additional signage, one-way systems and barrier systems which will guide you through our venues to your activity of choice. We’re also limiting the number of members in each area, including pool sessions.

Changes to pool timetables.  We’ve revised our timetables to ensure the sessions we deliver can be done so in a safe manner.

Phased return to pool activities. You’ll notice not all our pool activities are resuming straight away. We will be making a phased return to aquatic activities this includes; family swim sessions, the Learn to Swim programme and aqua-fit sessions. Further updates will be available as soon possible.

Protecting you and our teams.  We’ve installed plastic shields at our reception desks and we’ll be providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to our staff where required.

Programme and activity reviews. Your safety is our number one priority!  All our activities are subject to change or cancellation which could occasionally be at short notice.  We’ll continue to monitor industry and government guidance as well our own safety procedures and make adjustments as and when required.

During your visit

Face Coverings. Face coverings must be worn when moving around our facilities to your chosen activity.  We will have some available to purchase if you forget to bring yours with you.

Use hand sanitising stations. Hand sanitising stations will be located throughout our venues.

Check-in at reception. Try to arrive no more than 5 minutes before your activity and follow the physical distancing rules while you’re waiting.  You should always visit reception prior to taking part in any activities.

When visiting the pool, apart from the early morning lane swim session which is an hour duration, you will book for a 40-minute session.  Announcements will be made at the end of sessions by staff and through our public announcement systems.

Follow the signage. Keep to the one-way system and try to stay at least 2 metres from others as much as possible.  Swimmers will exit from the facility via the designated front exit doors and past reception.

Don’t wait around.  Once you’ve finished your swim session please get changed as quickly as possible and make your way to the designated exit.

In the pool

There will be signage to direct swimmers for entry and exit of the pool. The swimming pool will be split into lanes that will be designated for slow swimmers, medium and fast swimmers.

Respect. People of different standards and abilities will use the pool. Please respect their right to enjoy their swim. Do not make physical contact with other participants.

Speed and overtaking. Choose your lane using the fast, medium and slow signs and by watching those already swimming. Please do not overtake whilst swimming. Before pushing off at each turn, check to see if anyone faster is approaching

Direction. Please follow the directional signs and move across to the appropriate side of the lane for each length.

Space. Always attempt to maintain appropriate social distance between yourself and another swimmer.

Strokes. If you change to a slower stroke as part of your session, think about moving lanes.

Resting. Whether stopping for a rest or catching your breath after completing your swim, please be mindful that others using the lane will want to keep on swimming without stopping; so keep yourself to the edge of the lane allowing others to turn at the wall, turning head away and allowing others to maintain social distancing measures.

Stay hydrated. By bringing your own ‘pre-filled’ water bottle on to poolside during your swim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pool safe?

Our water management systems have been reviewed with recent changes to government regulations to continue to meet a high standard of safety. All our pools are disinfected with chlorine in-line with the industry standards.

We have reduced capacities in all of our swimming pools and activities will be organised differently. Swimmers will be admitted in a regulated order based on session start times.

Learn to Swim Programme

Our Learn to Swim Programme will return to the following venues from Monday 2nd November –

  • Auchenharvie
  • The Portal
  • Vikingar!

More information is available at https://kaleisure.com/covid-portal/return-to-learn-to-swim/ .

Can I just turn up for a swim?

Advanced booking is required for all activities. A new booking system has been introduced and all members will require to re-register for online booking. Details on how to register and make a booking are available at https://kaleisure.com/news/online-booking-and-registration/.

*Online booking is currently only available for members with details for non-members to follow shortly.  In the meantime, non-members can book via our receptions.

The following receptions are available for telephone bookings –
Auchenharvie – 01294 605126 (Weekdays 9am – 9pm & Weekends 9am – 4pm)
Garnock CC – 01505 682685 (Weekdays from 5.30pm – 9.30pm & Weekends from 9am – 430pm)
Portal – 01294 310060 (Weekdays 9am – 9pm & Weekends 9am – 4pm)
Vikingar! – 01475 689777 (Weekdays 9am – 9pm & Weekends 9am – 4pm)

Walker Hall – 01505 851976 (Weekdays 9am – 1pm & 4pm – 9pm, Weekends 8am – 12pm)

 

What does “swim-ready” mean. Do I have to drive home in my wet stuff?

What we mean by “swim-ready” is that, wherever possible, arrive at the pool already wearing your swimming costumes underneath your clothes and having showered at home. We are encouraging swimmers to do this to minimise the time spent in changing areas. Similarly, we are encouraging swimmers to shower at home after their swim if possible, again to minimise the time spent in the changing and shower areas after a swim. Showers will not initially be available after swims.

Will changing cubicles be available?

To keep to physical distancing guidelines and minimise touch points, a very limited number of changing cubicles may be available for swimmers to use before swimming if required. Swimmers will be expected to arrive ‘swim ready’ with their swimming kit already on. Limited lockers will also be available, so please travel light and think about bringing only what is necessary.

Are there lockers available?

To keep to physical distancing guidelines and minimise touch points, a very limited number of lockers will be available for swimmers that may need them. Swimmers are encouraged to only bring essential personal items and must be held within one bag per person.

Will the disability hoist be available?

Pool hoists will be available for customers who require them. Please speak with staff as you attend the facility to be given access.

Will showers be available?

To keep to physical distancing guidelines and minimise touch points a very limited number of showers will be available for swimmers to use before swimming to pre-cleanse. We are also encouraging swimmers to shower at home after their swim, again to minimise the time spent in the changing and shower areas after a swim. Showers will not initially be available after swims.

My child is over 8 years old, can they come for a swim on their own?

During the interim phase of reopening, we will be focusing on fitness lane swimming sessions. Time slots in these sessions will need to be booked individually and are available for juniors but they must be competent swimmers and able to swim consistently in a lane swimming environment. 

Our pool programme is continually under review and will be subject to change and potentially be amended as government and industry guidelines are updated.

Should face masks/coverings be worn in the pool?

People should NOT wear masks/coverings when swimming, as these may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably.

I am a carer/I come swimming with a carer, how do I book?

To ensure we comply with the correct track and trace system all carers are also required to book via KA Leisure’s online booking system or by telephone.

Why are there not as many swimming sessions as normal?

We have reduced our swimming sessions to ensure that staff and customers are kept in a safe environment, to comply with government guidance all changing areas must be thoroughly cleaned between sessions. The programme will change as government and industry guidelines are updated.

Why are you asking each lane to swim in the same direction?

By having each lane follow the same direction of travel, this will mean swimmers are unable to swim side by side, minimising the risk of potential transmission of Covid-19.

I normally only swim for 30mins, can I still swim?

We understand that not everyone will want to swim for 40 minutes. Please arrive 5mins before the start of the session time to enter the building and leave after your 30 minutes.

Why can’t I overtake in a lane swim?

Swimmers are asked not to overtake so that physical distancing can be properly maintained in line with government and swimming industry guidelines. If you see that the swimmer behind you is faster than you then at the end of a lane you should face away from the poolside and allow the swimmer to go ahead of you.

Are there any Swimming strokes I can’t do?

No, however if we are close to our maximum bather loads, our lifeguards may ask swimmers to stop swimming Butterfly. This Stroke is a wide stroke and to ensure the safety of all our swimmers, if swimmers are doing butterfly then we would not be able to maintain physical distancing. All lanes will be swimming in the same direction and the risk of people catching arms is increased with butterfly.

When will other aquatic activities resume?

We will be making a phased return to aquatic activities this includes; family swim sessions, the Learn to Swim programme and aqua-fit sessions. Further updates will be available as soon as possible

Will I be able to use the Health Suite?

No, unfortunately at this time the Scottish Government guidance does not permit the reopening of Saunas, Steam Rooms and health suites.

Can I use the steps into the pool, I’m worried about touching them?

Yes, the pool steps will be available for swimmers who require them. They will be regularly sanitised. Swimmers will also be asked to enter the pool from the side using a slide-in entry (sit and swivel entry) where possible. If there are no steps in your section then you can still use the steps and make your way across to your area.

Can I bring a water bottle?

Yes, you can bring a water bottle. Currently there are no water fountains available within our venues so please fill this at home.

Can I borrow armbands/toys?

Not at this time. To reduce the risk to swimmers we are asking you to bring your own equipment where it is needed such as floats, kick boards etc.