Tag: Ainslie Park Leisure Centre

Try Before You Buy: Ainslie Park Fitness Open Day

Stuck in a rut with your fitness regime?  Scared to try something new? Then Edinburgh Leisure’s next Fitness Only Open Day could be the thing for you!

Taking place at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre in the north of the city, the free Fitness Open Day on Saturday, 2nd December is a chance to try before you buy or commit. 

There will be high intensity classes such as Les Mills Bodypump, Bodyattack and Hatton Boxing classes to try in the Sports Hall, Mind and Body classes to experience in Studio 1, and free gym sessions and gym-based classes.

Wendy Avinou, Manager at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre said: “From time to time, people find themselves stuck in a rut or bored with their current fitness regime, but they don’t have the confidence to try something new.  Our Fitness Open Day will hopefully be an opportunity for them to do just that.

“Open to existing and new members, come along and try something new.  If you’re a fitness class bunny, why not ring the changes and see if you could combine it with some sessions in the gym, either on your own or in one of our quick, HIIT gym-based classes. Alternatively, come and try a different class from your norm – sometimes it takes a little courage to step outside of your comfort zone.”

For new members joining on the day, there will be a ‘no joining fee’ offer.  There will also be a prize draw for all attendees with prizes of a free month’s membership, Myzone belts and AquaDash prizes.

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

To get involved in Ainslie Park Fitness Open Day, gym sessions do not need to be booked but fitness and gym-based classes need to be booked. The activities are now available to book online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.

Ainslie Park Leisure Centre has been keeping the community of north Edinburgh active for years. With swim, gym, and fitness classes and racquet sports such as Pickleball and badminton available, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, it’s easy to keep fit and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle at Ainslie Park. The centre is easily accessible by public transport, car and even by bike.

Find out more – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/ainslie-park-leisure-centre/open-day

Edinburgh Leisure launches new Basketball Coaching for younger players

Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive basketball coaching programme tailored specifically for younger children.

This initiative comes in response to valuable feedback received from a recent coaching customer survey involving parents and carers who expressed a keen interest in additional coaching options and diverse sports development opportunities for their children. 

The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park and sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website.  Monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.

The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park, and both venues will follow the same times and schedules. 

The sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website.  Classes are held weekly and the monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.

1:00 – 1:45pm             Little Ballers

2:00 – 2:45pm             Junior Ballers

3:45 – 4:45pm             Mighty Ballers

4:45 – 5:45pm             Game Time Ballers

Edinburgh Leisure recognises the importance of offering a variety of coahing options to cater to the specific needs of different age groups. Therefore, the basketball coaching programme encompasses four distinct pathways:

Little Ballers – 18 months to 3 years

An interactive and play-orientated introduction to basketball for the youngest learners. Children will have the opportunity to explore basketball equipment in a child-friendly and realistic setting. Parental participation is encouraged to foster early education and enhance cognitive and social skills development.

Junior Ballers – 3 years to 5 years

A step-by-step introduction to the world of basketball, where children will learn the basics of the sport, gradually progressing towards structured techniques. The classes will foster a sense of teamwork and cooperation, with parental involvement as needed. 

Mighty Ballers – 5 years to 7 years

Mighty ballers are confident with boundless energy, and this is catered for in the lesson plans, with the classes designed to be fast-paced and engaging. Children will delve deeper into basketball fundamentals, while enjoying a fun and dynamic environment that emphasises teamwork and incorporates small-sided games.

Game Time Ballers – 7 years to 9 years

A holistic learning approach that seamlessly integrates play, practice, and understanding. These sessions not only teach essential basketball skills but also instil an understanding of when and how to apply these skills effectively in a real game scenario.

Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Recognising the well-established network across Edinburgh engaging teenage basketball players, we’ve responded to the call from parents and guardians for more diverse opportunities in sports development.

“Basketball emerged as a natural choice for younger children.  Our new pathways cater for children from 18 months to 8 years, split into four age groups.”

A new inflatable adventure awaits

AQUADASH ADVENTURE at AINSLIE PARK LEISURE CENTRE

Following the success of Aquadash and Aquadash Extreme, the inflatable playground on water, which launched at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in February 2018, Edinburgh Leisure is introducing Aquadash Adventure to its Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.

Suitable for ages 6 years and upwards, while it’s slightly smaller than its more extreme counterpart at the Commie, Aquadash Adventure at Ainslie Park is still an exhilarating workout for all family members. There are fewer people per session with a maximum number of 30 participants taking part at any one time

Tickets went on sale on 31st October, with the first sessions taking place on the weekend of Saturday, 12th November and Sunday, 13th November.

Sessions last 1 hour each and cost £8.50 for both adults and children. Unlike at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, your booking does not entitle you to access the pool for a swim afterwards.

Initially, sessions will be available to book up to 8 weeks in advance, with sessions bookable until 7th and 8th January 2023.  Aquadash Adventure sessions will run at weekends only and will take over the whole of the Ainslie Park pool meaning that no public swimming or coaching will be available at these times. However, the sauna and steam room will be available for use. 

Debbie O’Hara, Manager at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre said: “The new Aquadash Adventure is going to bring hours of fun to all the family in the north of the city.

“While not as extreme as the original Aquadash at the Commie, we like to think of it as the ‘younger sibling’ to the original one at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.  It will suit younger members of the family, from 6 years upwards or more cautious children. Parents and siblings are of course also welcome to join in the adventure too.

“It’s a great way for kids to work off that excess energy and they’ll be able to slide, climb and bounce their way around various thrilling challenges, giving not only a physical but a mental challenge too. And when booking opens, sessions will be available to book right through until January 2023, meaning that you can keep the children entertained in the run up to and during the Christmas break.”

Book online to be part of the adventure – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/launch-aquadash

With 30+ venues including 12 swimming pools, 14 gyms, 6 golf courses, 141 sports pitches, 32 tennis courts, 1 climbing arena, 3 soft play centres and 750+ classes per week, Edinburgh Leisure is the ‘biggest club in town’ providing the widest range of fitness classes, state of the art facilities and community-based programmes across the capital, creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active and achieve more.

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AquaDash Adventure is coming to Ainslie Park!

AquaDash Adventure at Ainslie Park – BOOK NOW

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Our new water-based assault course offers family fun for all and is a great way to get everyone together for an active and adventurous day!

AquaDash Adventure is coming to Ainslie Park from 12th November

https://edinburghleisure.co.uk/aquadash?Venue=EL00-1001

Ageing Well and Keeping Active

The award-winning project, Ageing Well, run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian, will be starting two new activities in July, to support people to become, and remain active in later life.

Starting on Thursday, 8th July, there will be a regular Walk around Saughton Walled Garden with a volunteer walk leader. 

The walk is suitable for people who have not walked much before, and are looking to be more active, or are returning from injury or illness. The walk will take up to 30 minutes on flat ground or gentle slopes with firm surfaces and generally no steps.

Register your interest with active@edinburghleisure.co.uk. Participants should meet at the Garden Bistro, at 10.50am for an 11am start.  A contribution of £1 is welcomed towards the activity.

There will also be an 11 weeks’ Cycle Skills Course, starting on Monday, 12th July. This will meet at Saughton Sports Centre initially, with a further 4 weeks on the cycle paths leaving from Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and a further 4 weeks leaving from Meggetland. Good quality bikes and helmets are supplied to trainees so there is no need to own your own.

This course is suitable for those who wish to take up cycling again after a lengthy absence but lack confidence. The course will give participants an opportunity to improve confidence on a bike; increase bike-handling skills; put in to practice the skills they are learning; and the introduction to cycle paths, on the last two weeks of the course.

The course is very relaxed, sociable, and fun and is based on the Cycling Scotland Bikeability material adapted for adults. A contribution of £2 per week is asked from trainees to help towards the running costs of the programme.

Pre-booking a slot on the course is essential – active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Ageing Well also has a walking programme, which has eight health walks across the city on different days, aimed at different fitness levels.

Further information about the different walks can be found at: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/ageing-well-walks

Since their activities reopened after COVID-19 restrictions lifted again at the beginning of April, they have been supporting 120 older adults to be active again. The emphasis is on meeting new people and making physical activity accessible and enjoyable. All activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves.

For further information, to register your interest and/or to book a slot, contact the Active Communities team on active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

New COVID testing site opens at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre

The UK Government has opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre Car Park.

The test centre, which opened yesterday, is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises 7 drive through sites, 33 walk-through sites, 42 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.

In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all COVID testing and test processing outside of the NHS. Around two thirds of all daily tests are provided by the UK Government, in support of Scotland’s health services.

Tests must be booked in advance at: www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste).

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “To respond to the coronavirus, we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch. We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

“New walk-in sites like this one makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Protect if you are contacted to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.”

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: “Walk-through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

“This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which now has the capacity to process more than 700,000 tests a day. We will continue to expand capacity to improve test turnaround times and push forward testing innovations to make sure anyone who needs a test can get one.

“Please book a test if you have coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Protect if you are contacted.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart said: “The UK Government is doing everything it can to support people in all parts of the UK through the pandemic.

“Testing continues to play an important role how we manage the virus alongside the roll out of vaccines, helping to identify local outbreaks, slow down the rate of transmission and protect communities. I would like to thank the public for continuing to do the right thing and come forward to be tested when they display symptoms.

“The UK Government continues to provide the bulk of testing in Scotland, with this new walk-through centre in Edinburgh just the latest in our extensive network. We have also secured and paid for millions of doses of the Pfizer and Oxford vaccines for all parts of the UK.

“Hope is on the horizon, but we can’t let up on our efforts to contain the virus.”

Adam McVey, City of Edinburgh Council Leader said: “Our number one priority is keeping Edinburgh’s residents safe and the best way to do that is to keep encouraging everyone to follow the latest guidance and to arrange to get themselves tested if they develop any Covid-19 symptoms.

“Our other testing sites across Edinburgh have been helping hundreds of people every week to get tested so it’s really welcome that this new site is opening in the north of the city.

“We’ll keep the use of the Ainslie Park Leisure Centre under review to ensure that when it’s possible for Edinburgh Leisure to reopen for sport and leisure use, venues can operate efficiently.”

Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said: “Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running.

“Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Edinburgh, who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.”

COVID Testing centre to open at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre

Do you have symptoms of COVID-19?

When booking a test through nhsinform.scot or the helpline, you will be directed to the one closest to your postcode.

A full list of all testing centres can be found here ➡️https://www.nhslothian.scot/…/Pages/testing-centres.aspx

Two new centres are opening this week:

One of them will open on the 25th of February in at the Jack Kane Centre car park in Niddrie: 208 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4ND. The centre will open from 8am – 8pm every day.

Another walk-through testing centre will open at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre car park, 92 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh EH5 2HF on the Saturday 27 February.

It will also be open from 8Aam – 8pm every day.

Make A Splash! Edinburgh Leisure offers Family Swim

As leisure venues start to adapt to the new norm, Edinburgh Leisure has introduced new Family Swim sessions at their five pools that are open, in a bid to offer activities for all ages and stages.

The Family Swim sessions will be available to book at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, The Royal Commonwealth Pool, Gracemount Leisure Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre.

To enable customers to safely enjoy the benefits of family swimming, the pool will be sectioned off into ‘pods’, with each family having their own private area. Each pod will cost from £9.60 – £12, depending on type of membership held.

Members can book eight days in advance or seven days for non-members, with sessions starting from Saturday, 17 October 2020.  Booking is now live to members and non-members can book from 9pm tonight (Friday, 9th October).

Customers will be able to book a 40-minute session with a maximum of five people, from the same household bubble. However, customers will need to stick to the existing adult: child ratios*.

This will allow flexibility for how customers use the space – e.g. children from 9-12 years who do not need to socially distance, can book to attend with their friends if they wish. During any one sessions, there will be between three to eight pods to book.

Angela McCowan, Swim Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure said:  “We are delighted to be welcoming families back to our pools. We know how popular previous family swim sessions have been so opening up our pools to families in time for the October holidays, will mean that more people, of all ages and stages, can continue to get active with Edinburgh Leisure.

”Things may be a little different than before but we have everything in place to keep families safe and most importantly, enjoy making a splash with us.”

Following guidance from Scottish Swimming and from Edinburgh Leisure’s Health and Compliance Manager, Edinburgh Leisure has introduced the following guidelines to keep everyone safe:

  • All Family Swim Sessions must be pre-booked online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.  To book a session, an Edinburgh Leisure account is required. (This will be in place if a person is an Edinburgh Leisure customer of hold a discount or loyalty card).  For customers who do not have an account, one can easily be created by visiting the Edinburgh Leisure website.
  • Customers are encouraged to arrive ‘beach-ready’, wearing their swimwear underneath their clothes to minimise time spent in changing areas. Lockers will be available for customer use but customers should bring their own token.  (These are also available to buy at reception with cashless payment.)
  • Customers will be asked to follow the COVID-19 guidance, and maintain physical distancing, sanitising hands before and after each session, and following any signage guidance around the venue. Masks are mandatory when moving around public places, unless exempt due to age or health conditions.
  • Customers are asked to arrive only 5 minutes before their swim time.  Any earlier, they will be asked to wait outside the venue, physically distanced in their groups.
  • No toys or equipment will be provided or loaned by Edinburgh Leisure.  However, customers will be allowed to bring their own toys with them to the session, including floats, sinkers, armbands – but they must be washed before entering the pool. Large inflatables are not allowed. There will also be items available to purchase, using cashless payment only.
  • Once a family session has finished, customers will be asked to exit the pool safely and ensure they maintain distancing from other family groups.  Although showers will be available to rinse off after the session, the use of soaps, shampoos and conditioners is discouraged.  This is to maintain physical distancing.  Hairdryers and costumer drying will not be available.
  • Customers or any family group/household displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are asked not to book or to cancel any pre-booked sessions.

For more information:   https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/swim/types-of-swimming

Building Back Better: Edinburgh Leisure reopens venues

Edinburgh Leisure reopens six of its leisure venues

Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s largest sports and leisure operator, will be reopening its doors at six of its venues, today, Monday, 14 September 2020.

The venues reopening on 14 September are:  Ainslie Park Leisure Centre (badminton, fitness, gym, swim), Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre (badminton, fitness, gym and indoor and outdoor tennis and squash), Drumbrae Leisure Centre (badminton, fitness, gym, swim), The Royal Commonwealth Pool (fitness, gym, swim) Leith Victoria (fitness, gym, swim), and Gracemount Leisure Centre (badminton, fitness, gym, swim).

They will initially be reopening their gyms, fitness classes, tennis, badminton and squash courts, and lane swimming in these centres. Bookings went live for members at 9pm on Thursday, 10 September and for non-members on Friday, 11 September.

Their six golf courses have been open since 4 June, and there has been a big upturn in demand for tee times.  Their outdoor tennis courts have also been open since June and have been free to play.

Whilst First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon brought forward the date that indoor leisure venues could reopen to 31 August 2020, Edinburgh Leisure has always been working towards the original date that was indicated of 14 September.

An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson explained:  “We’re delighted to be re-opening the doors at six of our venues on 14 September and have been busy preparing for our customers return. We’ve missed them, as I know, many of them us.

“As you can imagine, bringing Edinburgh Leisure’s diverse range of venues and services ‘back to life’ in a COVID-19 environment is a big and complex task.  We had over 900 staff on furlough, and it’s been necessary to check and refresh/update relevant compliance training before we could reopen, for example. Our number one goal is to provide our customers with a clean, safe and enjoyable Edinburgh Leisure experience.”

The Edinburgh Leisure experience will be different from before but customers will still receive the warm, Edinburgh Leisure welcome.

The main changes that customers will see are:

  • All activities must be pre booked via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website;
  • They will be operating in a cashless environment, accepting contactless payments;
  • Safety guidance will be on display throughout the venues;
  • Additional sanitisation stations have been installed throughout the venues for use before and after each visit;
  • All activities are timetabled with staggered session start times to reduce congestion;
  • Customers will be encouraged to wear face coverings in communal areas, but not for their activities.

Edinburgh Leisure has produced a series of videos and guidelines to virtually help customers through their first visit, and have a new ‘Ask Us’ section, which is available on their website, advising and supporting customers to make a booking and answering any questions they may have.

Edinburgh Leisure, like every leisure trust in Scotland, is facing huge financial challenges.  They continue to lobby the Government for financial support for the sector to ensure the sector survives and can continue to contribute to the country’s health and wellbeing.

June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said:  “Edinburgh Leisure is committed to ‘building back better’ to a sustainable Edinburgh Leisure and to continue making a positive impact to the citizens of Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing – as we have done for the last 22 years.

“Never before has health and wellbeing been so important. And Edinburgh Leisure remain committed to supporting the people of Edinburgh to be active and enjoy good health.”

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives.  They do this by running over 30+ sports and leisure facilities across the city and deliver their Active Communities programme, which helps improve the lives of people affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities and disabilities. 

For more information:   www.edinburghleisure.co.uk