Trust in phased reopening of swimming pools

Lonsdale Swimming and Sports Trust has announced the phased reopening of two Derby swimming pools.

Gayton Pool, in Littleover, which the trust manages on behalf of Derby City Council and Lonsdale Pool, in Mickleover, both reopened to the public on Monday.

Thanks to funds from the National Leisure Recovery Fund, Gayton Pool has re-started children’s swimming lessons.

From 19 April, children’s sessions for adults and babies and pre-school children will reopen.

Family fun sessions are organised in school holidays and these are earmarked for the May half-term week.

Meanwhile at Lonsdale Pool, adult lanes swimming, children’s lessons and the junior section of Derby Phoenix swimming club are returning.

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As part of the Government’s roadmap, adult sessions at the pools such as aquafit and senior clubs will not re-start until 17 May and the extended public sessions will also be re-introduced in school holidays.

Numbers in the pools will be limited for the foreseeable future with everyone asked to come ‘sport ready’ as changing room facilities will not be open.

Manager Lynn Palmer said: “Everyday has been a school day and we have certainly had to be flexible and responsive to the changing situation over the past year.

“Our experience from when we were allowed to reopen last summer showed that our young swimmers and their parents/carers are very considerate and cooperative to the measures – appreciating that these are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Lonsdale Swimming and Sports Trust chairman Ian Cotter said: “As with other sports facilities, the stop/start over the past year has been very frustrating.

“This week is a welcome start to our goal to Keep Derby Swimming and we all really hope that this will be the start of life getting back to normal.

“There will be a booking system in place, which will also meet track and trace requirements and our goal is to make life as simple as possible for both staff and customers alike so that they can return to the water safely and responsibly.”

For more information about lessons and public sessions, visit www.lsst.org.uk.