After a bah-humbug 2020 when staying active hasn’t always been a priority, take some time for yourself this festive season. Boost your immunity, manage stress and your mental health by gifting yourself 12 Days of Fitness.
Available to buy online only from 23rd November to 31st December, Edinburgh Leisure, a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active and healthy lives, has launched its seasonal promotion, 12 Days of Fitness, with the aim of encouraging people to stay active in November and December.
The 12 Days of Fitness promotion offers 12 consecutive days of membership, from the moment you buy, for only £12. And if you get the fitness bug, you’re not restricted to one pass per person either – if you wish to buy a second pass after your first pass expires, it’ll mean you’re doubly on the way to reaching those fitness goals ahead of New Year.
The pass gives you 12 consecutive days access to Edinburgh Leisure’s climb and fitness facilities, subject to COVID-19 restrictions. With Edinburgh currently in Tier 3, only their gym, swim and climb facilities are available. If Edinburgh is moved into Tier 2, fitness classes will also become available.
Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities are second to none and offer choice and great value, across various city locations.
Their gyms feature some of the latest fitness equipment and while things are a little different from before with physical distancing measures in place, and the need to book your gym, swim and climb sessions in advance, you will be assured a warm welcome, with helpful staff ready to help you reach your fitness goals.
They also have numerous swimming pools across the city, from historic baths to the famous Olympic-sized Royal Commonwealth Pool and Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho.
For further information about Edinburgh Leisure venues and services and the 12 Days of Fitness Promotion visit: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk
Despite the current Scottish Government restrictions affecting the sport & leisure industry, Edinburgh Leisure is continuing to reopen their venues and services and encouraging as many people of various ages and stages to get active.
June Peebles, CEO at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Over the past few weeks and months, there’s been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to bring Edinburgh Leisure’s 14 venues that are currently open and services back to life.
“This includes their six golf courses, gyms, tennis courts, sports halls and pitches, Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho, five Victorian pools and of course, the very popular Royal Commonwealth Pool.
“And despite all the changes we have had to deal with and continue to deal with –whether that be the changes to facility guidance or changes to what activities we can and cannot open (our group fitness classes and adult group activities are not able to take place under the current Level 3 restrictions), we have continued to progress with our re-opening plans.
“Feedback has been so positive with Edinburgh Leisure being one of the businesses singled out for making customers feel safest since reopening with all the measures we have put in place, and an ‘overall crowd-pleaser’.”
Since June, customers have been dusting off their clubs and heading to Edinburgh Leisure’s golf courses. Customer visits are up 43% on last year and continue to perform exceptionally well, despite the autumn weather and ever reducing day light and playing hours.
The sale of Edinburgh Leisure’s Winter Golf membership, which costs from £22.50 per month with unlimited play at six of their golf courses across the city until 31 March 2021, is contributing to the impressive sales, up four times compared to that in 2019.
Other services that have reopened include the sporting facilities in seven of the Council’s high schools, which Edinburgh Leisure manage on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, and Clip ‘n Climb family sessions at the EICA, albeit on a reduced basis.
Their popular coaching programme for children’s swim and dive lessons, tennis, gymnastics and climbing, restarted on 16 November. The swim coaching programme at Queensferry High School restarts on Monday, 30th November.
Seven thousand children and young people have returned to coaching, which although is a reduction on what was available pre-lockdown, complies with Scottish Government and sportscotland guidelines to keep people safe.
Their popular NRG Zone – a coached gym session for children from S1 to 15 years – is now being offered. These sessions introduce the safe and effective use of the gym space and equipment and allows the young person to get accredited and then able to use the gym on the own, at time out with NRG Zone classes, where there are gym instructors present. NRG is running across nine of their venues from Friday to Sundays – with limited places offered at specified gym times.
Gym instructor bookings are available once more and need to be booked in advance. Initially, it will be ‘Introduction for New Users and ‘Gym Update Reviews, which are offered with both sessions starting with a 15 minute – one to one -consultation, where goals will be discussed, exercise advice given and a demonstration of the safe use of equipment. The remainder of the gym session will allow the customer to train in the gym with staff checking on progress.
Edinburgh Leisure has also introduced Family Swim Sessions into their pool timetables, where families of up to five people can swim in a pre-booked pool ‘pod’, with prices starting from £9.60 per family group.
Due to the Covid restrictions, groups must adhere to the existing adult:child ratio as well as the COVID-19 restrictions, and need to arrive swim ready. In some of the venues, deep-end pods are also available for families with confident swimmers.
A number of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities projects have also restarted. Active Communities helps improve the lives of people affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities, and disabilities.
Programmes which have restarted include: one to one gym sessions for participants on their Healthy Active Minds project; their #YouCan project, which supports care-experienced young people to get active, is running virtual one to ones, outdoor and group outreach programmes; Active Mums, which supports low income families, has restarted as an outdoor group with the mums enjoying socially distanced workouts in Pilrig Park, with their children being cared for in the creche at Dr Bells Family Centre; and Get Moving Adults Weight Management Education Classes.
In addition, Ageing Well, which encourages older people to get active and stay active, has restarted three of their popular walks.
Ryan Dignan, Health Development Officer, remarked: “The walkers have said how relieved they were that the group was back again as they had missed it so much.”
June Peebles concluded: “Edinburgh Leisure remains as committed as ever to supporting Edinburgh citizens to be active and healthy. We’ve had to introduce a number of changes to comply with all the COVID-19 safety guidance that’s out there.
“Things are somewhat different, with smaller numbers taking part in activities at any one time, the mandatory wearing of face coverings when moving around our venues, enhanced cleaning and physical distancing measures but it’s all in place to ensure our customers are safe when visiting our venues.
“The feedback has been really positive. Never has the importance of taking care of your physical and mental health been so important – please remember we’re here to help and support you to be active.”
Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s largest sports and leisure operator, has announced it will be reopening the rest of its well-loved Victorian pools. Warrender, Portobello, Dalry and Glenogle Swim Centres will reopen on Monday, 26 October.
June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re delighted that we can finally reopen the rest of our beloved Victorian pools, which we know our customers and communities are so fond of. They’re unique buildings that we are justly proud to be the caretakers of.
“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.
And the additional restrictions that the First Minister announced last week, which meant the stopping of group fitness classes and a number of group activities for adults (although working out individually in the gym and swimming can still happen), has posed further challenges. These restrictions will hopefully have been lifted by the time our third round of venues reopen on Monday, 26th October.”
To allow our venues to re-open, Edinburgh Leisure needs to comply with the Scottish Government and sportscotland’s extensive guidance – which ensures venues are safe for customers and employees.
Initially it will be the Victorian pools (lane swimming, club swimming and Family Swim sessions), the fitness classes at three of the four venues and the gyms at Portobello and Glenogle that will be reopening.
Unfortunately, the gyms at Warrender and Dalry will remain closed, due to no ventilation systems installed and not complying with the new minimum requirements (as detailed by the Scottish Government).
Other services that will continue to remain closed are the Turkish Baths, steam room, rest area and Aerotone – the forerunner to the modern jacuzzi – at Portobello Swim Centre; the fitness class programme, free weights room (although this will be housed in the fitness studio) and sauna and steam room at Glenogle; and the sauna at Dalry.
June Peebles explained: “As a charity and operating as a not-for-profit organisation, we need to balance the books and weigh up the viability of reopening various services in a COVID-19 compliant way. Our number one goal is to provide our customers with a clean, safe, and enjoyable Edinburgh Leisure experience.”
The reopening of these four Victorian pools follows on from the reopening of seven other Edinburgh Leisure venues, which opened on 14 September and 21 September. These include Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, The Royal Commonwealth Pool, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, Gracemount Leisure Centre, and the EICA: Ratho.
Edinburgh Leisure’s six golf courses have been open since 4 June, and there has been a big upturn in demand for tee times. The outdoor tennis courts at the Meadows have also been open since the end of May.
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.
It will be necessary for customers to wear face coverings in communal areas, (unless exempt) but not for their activities.
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.
Edinburgh Leisure is joining an industry wide initiative led by ukactive. The #FitTogether campaign aims to ensure a united front on behalf of the wider sector, which utilises key statistics that evidence the extremely low rates of COVID-19 transmission across the sector and demonstrates the vital role of the sector in the nation’s health and wellbeing.
The purpose of the campaign is to message that the sector is safe and essential and to influence customers and policy makers accordingly.
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.
The Royal Commonwealth Pool has unveiled its new car parking system which will go ‘live’, from Monday (19 October).
The system has been installed by innovative parking solutions’ company, Orbility, and will allow for a smoother car-parking experience for customers when using this iconic venue.
Claire Rusack, Manager at the Royal Commonwealth Pool explained: “The lower and upper car park has become busier and busier over the years, which has made it a challenge for our customers to get parked. The situation has been made worse by members of the public and local office workers making use of the facilities when they are not using the facilities.
“As a not-for-profit organisation, Edinburgh Leisure is constantly reinvesting in our venues. The time was right therefore to modernise the car park control system and to introduce a new barrier system with customer charges in both car parks – although for your average visit, customers using the facilities within the Commie, will not be penalised.”
Charges for using the Royal Commonwealth Pool car park will be free for customers for the first 3-hours; £2.00 for 3-4 hours; and £10.00 for 4-hours plus.
Customers who need to pay a charge, can pay at either of the two pay points, located in the main reception area of the Royal Commonwealth Pool, next to the Arena access gate or outside the front entrance door of the Commie. Payment will be by card payment only as Edinburgh Leisure now operates as a cashless operation across all areas.
There will be a free 15-minute grace period to enable customers to drop off and pick-ups to take place.
Claire Rusack said: “The pricing structure has been designed to enable most customers using the Commonwealth Pool to access free parking and those who wish to stay around for longer will need to pay. So effectively, our customers will be able to access 3-hours of free car parking and any time more than this will be chargeable, similar to the system in place at Fountainpark.
The new car parking is simple and easy to use. Welcome hosts on hand to guide any customers through this during the early stages.
On arriving, a customer approaches the car park barrier, where a ticket will be issued. They attend the Royal Commonwealth Pool for their activity. Before leaving, they are required to scan their ticket using one of the five validating machines around the venue.
The validated ticket then needs to be inserted into the payment machines, even if it is within the 3-hour free parking. On leaving, the customer drives to the barrier, which will open automatically using number plate recognition if the ticket has been processed correctly in the pay machines. If a customer forgets to pay or validate their tickets, there will be a contactless payment reader at the exit barrier where they can pay.
During lockdown, The Royal Commonwealth Pool has further invested in its infrastructure with the installation of self-serve access.
Due to COVID-19 implications, the self-serve system has simplified the access for a customer meaning no more delays at reception. Customers with an Edinburgh Leisure card with a ‘contactless’ symbol or an Edinburgh Leisure fob, can simply swipe through the gates to their pre-booked activities. Customers who might not have a card with the contactless symbol, can upgrade for free on their next visit.
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.
** Unlimited monthly winter-golf for just £22.50 per month **
For die hard golf fans or even those new to the game who want to keep in the swing of it during the winter, Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership could be just the deal.
It pays to play, with the membership costing just £22.50 per month, compared up to £27.50 that you would pay as a pay-as-you-go customer. So buying a winter golf membership and playing more than once, will mean a saving worth having.
Ken Harvey, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Golf at Edinburgh Leisure has experienced a resurgence after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at the beginning of June and it’s been great to see regulars back on our fairways and also new players taking up the game or players returning to the game after dusting off their clubs.
“With minimal use of winter greens and no mats, it’s the ideal opportunity to keep your golf on par until the summer returns. The beauty of Edinburgh Leisure’s winter golf membership is that you won’t have to rely on playing just one course.
“Our membership gives you the flexibility and variety to experience up to six different courses in unique locations across the city. So wrap up warm, fill your thermos, grab your clubs and improve your game and your mental health with a round of golf! In fact, playing just once a month, will see your membership pay for itself.”
The winter pass is valid from 1 October 2020 – 31 March 2021 and allows access to Edinburgh Leisure’s six golf courses*.
Edinburgh Leisure’s 18-hole courses include Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny, and Silverknowes. For a quicker challenge, Edinburgh Leisure also have two popular 9-hole courses – Portobello and the Wee Braids.
From December to February, the Wee Braids closes and some of its holes are incorporated into the main Braid Hills course.
Payable monthly by direct debit until March 2021, different membership options are available including access to all the courses, seven days-a-week, and a five-day membership with access to all courses, Monday to Friday.
The membership also gives 20% off other Edinburgh Leisure activities including the gym, swimming, racquet sports and climbing, at the various Edinburgh Leisure venues across the city – so it pays to play.
Edinburgh Leisure has introduced rules and measures to ensure golfers can play in an environment that is safe for both customers and staff.
Some things have changed but customers will still be guaranteed the warm Edinburgh Leisure welcome:
It is now necessary for all tee times to be booked and paid for in advance. Customers can no longer turn up to play.
Each player must be played for separately. The booking system lets the golfer and any guests to pay separately for their round.
Edinburgh Leisure members and cardholders can book a tee time from 9 pm, 8 days in advance. Non-members can still book a tee-time but will need to create an account with Edinburgh Leisure before they can book. They will then be able to book from 9 pm, 7 days in advance.
Under the current guidelines, only four-balls social golf can be played.
No changing rooms will be available so golfers are advised to change into their shoes and any outdoor wear whilst at their car and then proceed straight to the starters’ office/area.
Lighten up those dark winter evenings with floodlit tennis
As the light starts to fade and summer draws to a close, playing tennis with floodlights at the Meadows and the all-weather outdoor courts at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, can now be booked on the Edinburgh Leisure app and website.
Kirsty Stobie, Manager at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Tennis has proved to be really popular since Edinburgh Leisure’s courts opened up at the beginning of June, when the restrictions were lifted after lockdown. It’s been great seeing people of all ages getting active back on our courts and taking advantage of free tennis.
“Tennis at the Meadows is unmanned and until now, customers have been able to just rock up and play. However, with the nights drawing in earlier, customers wishing to play with floodlights, can pay to have the lights turned on to coincide with their session. These sessions can be booked via the Edinburgh Leisure website or app.”
Court prices start from £5 – £10 at the Meadows and £6.60 – £13 at Craiglockhart. Customers are asked to adhere to current social distancing guidelines and to bring their own equipment.
Following the reopening of six of its leisure venues on Monday (14 September), Edinburgh Leisure will be reopening its Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho next Monday, 21st September 2020.
A climbers’ paradise and Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena, booking goes live for climbing members at 9pm on Thursday, 17 September, and to non-members on Friday, 18 September. Members will be able to book climbing sessions eight days in advance, while for non-members, it’s seven days.
Customers wishing to book the gym facilities at EICA: Ratho, will be able to book three days in advance for members, and two days in advance for non-members – which is the same terms as at the other six Edinburgh Leisure venues, which recently opened.
Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Manager at EICA: Ratho said: “We know our climbers have missed the fantastic facilities at Ratho, and we’ve missed them and can’t wait to welcome them back.
“Like our other venues, things will be different but our climbers will still be guaranteed the warm Edinburgh Leisure welcome. Everyone is having to adapt to very different circumstances but the feedback from customers to the reopening of our six other venues has been very positive to the changes that we have put in place, which after all, are here for the health and safety of our staff and customers.”
The main changes that customers will see are:
Only climbing on the walls and bouldering in the main arena will be available, as will the gym. However, the bouldering room will remain closed.
Other services remaining closed for the time being include Clip ‘n Climb: the two cafés and Scrambles soft-play. Edinburgh Leisure will be following Government guidelines when considering the reopening these services.
No coaching will be available but an experienced climber can bring in two guests. These can be signed in and paid for on arrival but payment will be cashless.
Safety signage guidance will be on display throughout the venues.
Additional sanitisation stations have been installed throughout the venue for use before and after each visit.
Customers will need to book all climbing sessions in advance.
Sessions have been changed to reduce congestion in the building. Customers will be able to book in for either a morning or afternoon session.
The climbing sessions will run from 10:00 – 15:30 and 16:00 – 21:00 (Monday to Friday), and 9:00 – 12:30 and 13:00 to 17:00 (Saturday and Sunday)
Equipment can be hired online at the time of booking or in person on site but payment will be cashless.
Climbers will need to arrive ‘climb-ready’. Change facilities will not be available for use. There will also be reduced number of customer toilets.
An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson explained: “We’re delighted to be re-opening EICA: Ratho and have been busy preparing for our customers return.
“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. Our number one goal is to provide our customers with a clean, safe and enjoyable Edinburgh Leisure experience.”
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.
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.
Edinburgh Leisure announces further venues to reopen and new ‘what to expect’ video
Edinburgh Leisure has added a further two venues, Leith Victoria and Gracemount Leisure Centre to its list of venues that will reopen on Monday, 14 September 2020.
These will join the already announced venues of the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre, and Ainslie Park.
Edinburgh Leisure’s other venues will be opening up on an incremental basis over the next few weeks after this. Their six golf courses and outdoor tennis courts at the Meadows and Craiglockhart are already open too.
In preparation for helping customers understand what to expect when Edinburgh Leisure reopens its venues, they have produced a helpful ‘walk-through’ video, which is now live on the Edinburgh Leisure website.
There are also some helpful guidelines for each of the activities: swim, gym, fitness class and tennis and badminton booking.
An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson said: “We’ve missed our customers and are really looking forward to reopening our doors and welcoming our customers back. Over the last five months, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received and have loved seeing the creative ways our customers have found to continue keeping active while in lockdown.
“All our efforts are focused on making our venues as safe as possible and we hope the guidelines and our video, showing customers what their fitness experience will look like in a post-lockdown world, will be helpful.
“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.”
Find out more about Edinburgh Leisure’s reopening plans:
While some leisure venues have reopened their venues on Monday, Edinburgh Leisure is different from some organisations/companies who might operate just one or two venues, which might make it easier for them to open yesterday.
However, Edinburgh Leisure has such a diverse range of venues and bringing venues and services back to life in a new Covid-19 environment, after being closed for five months, is a big and complex task.
It is, unfortunately, not just a case of reopening doors again. Whilst properties and pools have been maintained during the course of lockdown, we furloughed over 900 staff during this time. We only kept a small cohort of staff working throughout the lockdown, in a bid to manage costs. In the main, this has been senior operations management, finance, and our maintenance team.
To ensure the safety of our customers and staff, and before we can reopen our doors, we need to ensure that our staff’s compliance training is refreshed and any qualifications are current.
We also need to prepare each venue individually, with the necessary signage, sanitisation stations, and ensure they comply with any Covid guidelines. Pools also need to be cleaned and heated to an acceptable level, which can take up to a week and gyms, fitness studios and courts prepared to allow for social distancing.
Perhaps more than ever before there is recognition of the importance and value of good health. Edinburgh Leisure remains committed to supporting and enabling the citizens of Edinburgh to live active and healthy lives, working with the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver on our shared goals to achieve this.
In summary:
When we do re-open (as per our golf courses) – venues will look different, services will change, the activity programme will be different, the Edinburgh Leisure experience will be different. In short, everything will have to adapt and change to ensure a safe operating environment for customers and employees. For example: all activities will be bookable to allow for track and trace and we will be cashless. However, we will continue to provide an enjoyable experience for our customers.
The senior management team at “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.”
Since opening on 4th June Edinburgh Leisure golf has been performing very well. We have undoubtedly benefited from the good (in the main) weather, people having more time, a lack of alternative activities and, also the 5 mile travel restrictions that were in place for the first three months of lockdown. The gradual relaxation of lockdown measures has of course changed things e.g. more people are returning to work and golfers can travel freely to other courses but golf has continued to perform well. So, the golf income has been a big positive amidst all the financial challenges and uncertainties facing Edinburgh Leisure and has helped to reduce our monthly financial deficit.
