Tag: Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure to close venues

Edinburgh Leisure will be closing all its venues and golf courses from close of play today (Thursday, 19 March).  Community access to the 22 high schools that it manages on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council have also been suspended.

The news follows the announcement from First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon that schools will close from Friday, 20 March.

June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said:  “These are unprecedented and challenging times for everyone and we are communicating this news to all our stakeholders which includes staff, customers, service providers, tenants, partners, suppliers and volunteers as soon as possible.

“Like so many others affected by this pandemic, it is worrying times for everyone including our staff.  Edinburgh Leisure is a charity; and every penny we receive from memberships, lets, events and funding is reinvested back into our venues and funds the services that we provide – therefore shutting our venues and therefore freezing customers’ memberships has huge consequences for us and also the health of Edinburgh.

“Whilst our customers won’t be able to keep active with Edinburgh Leisure for the time being, we will be looking at offering advice to our customers on tips for keeping moving remotely and access to classes via ‘Les Mills on demand’ so that customers can workout at home.  And providing advice from Public Health Scotland allows people to not require to totally self-isolate, there is also the option of going for a walk or run outside.

“We really hope that once the situation passes that customers will return to Edinburgh Leisure venues to keep active and stay active once again and to continue supporting us as they have done for the last 22 years.”

There is currently no indication as to how long the venues will remain closed – reopening will be guided by advice from the Government and Public Health Scotland.

Like every customer facing business, Edinburgh Leisure has been receiving a high volume of calls to their Customer Accounts and Customer Enquiries team, which has meant a delayed response.

An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson said:   “We have been receiving a really high level of enquiries over the last week from customers.  We would urge customers to bear with us and we will be back in touch with customers directly about their memberships in the coming days.”

The wait is over: Viccie Baths reopens

Try before you buy – 7 Days for £7

The long-awaited refurbishment of Edinburgh Leisure’s beloved 120-year-old Leith Victoria Swim Centre is over and its refurbished pool reopened to the public yesterday, with some eager customers in the pool at 6am!

While many locals will be familiar with the pool facilities, Edinburgh Leisure are giving locals and potential new members, the opportunity to try before they buy, with a ‘7 Days for £7 promotion, which will run Monday, 2 March until Sunday, 8 March 2020.   This pass is only available online and will be valid for 7 days starting from the day of registration. Terms and conditions apply. 

Located just off Great Junction Street in Leith, ‘Viccies’ has retained its 19th century charm but added a modern twist to provide everything needed for an active lifestyle, including a 25 yard Victorian pool, a large modern gym, two fitness studios and dedicated cycle studio.

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Edinburgh Leisure seeks swim teachers

Looking for a new challenge and career? Edinburgh Leisure is on the search for qualified swim teachers to join the biggest sports coaching provider in the city. 

Angela McCowan, Aquatics Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure explained:  “As the biggest provider of sports coaching across the city, we’re looking for individuals from all walks of life, with a passion for swimming, who want to join us and enthuse children with a key life skill.

Flexible hours are on offer, at various locations across Edinburgh. Also on offer is one of the best rewards packages in the business, with generous pension, holidays, and free membership to all of Edinburgh Leisure venues.

Interested individuals should apply on the Edinburgh Leisure jobs portal by Sunday, 8 March 2020 and be available to attend an assessment centre on Monday, 16 March 2020.

To find out more about being a swim teacher with Edinburgh Leisure:

 https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/work-with-us/swim-teacher-roles

Don’t ditch those resolutions – 7 Days for £7

Over-indulged this half-term? Why not resolve to get summer fit by taking advantage of Edinburgh Leisure’s offering of a 7-day fitness pass for only £7, giving customers all the benefits of their ‘Full Fitness’ membership.

With 14 gyms, 9 swimming pools and over 800+ fitness classes per week, customers can take advantage of all the benefits of Edinburgh Leisure’s ‘Full Fitness membership at the biggest club in town.

Edinburgh Leisure’s gyms feature some of the latest equipment with on-hand instructors who are happy to show customers ‘the ropes’ and how to use the equipment; have a range of swimming pools from five historic ‘baths’ to the famous Olympic-sized Royal Commonwealth Pool, plus a selection of saunas and steam rooms.

Their range of fitness classes have something for everyone, no matter what your fitness level is, including gym, water-based and virtual sessions, meaning you can work out at a time that suits you.

The 7 Days for £7 pass is available to buy online only from Sunday 23rd February until Saturday 29th February. Terms and conditions apply.

For further information:

www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/passes/7-days-for-7-pounds

Don’t Sit Still!

Young at heart get active with chair-based exercise

Active Communities March 2019

Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well programme, working in partnership with Steady Steps, an NHS community-based health referral programme, has launched a new chair-based exercise class in a new locality at the Queensferry Sports & Community Hub. 

Running every Monday, from 11.45 am – 1.00 pm, the class launched on Monday, 3rd February with eight people attending and more participants expected over the coming weeks.

The Ageing Well Project, run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian, delivers a range of city-wide activities which support people to become, and remain, active in later life.

The emphasis is on meeting new people and making physical activity accessible and enjoyable. Each session is followed by refreshments and time for that all-important chat and a cuppa.

Steady Steps is run in partnership with NHS Lothian and delivers group exercise sessions to people who have had or are at risk of having a fall with the aim of preventing future falls and injury.

There is scientific evidence that the exercise used in the sessions help to increase endurance, strength, flexibility and balance. The classes are delivered in a safe environment and can be adapted so no exercise is too easy or difficult for any individual.

Michael McLaughlin, Specialist Health Instructor at Edinburgh Leisure said: “These classes will act as a pathway for those attending Steady Steps, so they have a class to continue on to.  It will mean that they don’t undo all the hard work they have put in when they have been attending the 16-week Steady Steps programme for 1.5 hours each week.

“We’re also hoping to welcome any other older adults in the community looking to be active.  No specialist equipment or workout gear is required.  Just wear lose, comfortable clothes and trainers or soft-soled shoes.  It’s such a great opportunity to make new friends too and of course, socialise over tea and biscuits afterwards.”

A donation of £2 is welcomed for the class.

Interested?  Just turn up at the Queensferry Sports & Community Hub, 30 Ashburnham Road, Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9JN

Leap into Soft Play!

Leap into a soft-play membership this February and give your kids the active habit

Inspire your kids to get the active habit. Join in the adventure with Edinburgh Leisure’s soft-play membership, where children get to sample the world of sport and fitness from an early age. For those signing up to become a member in February 2019, March is completely free.

From only £16.00* per month, the membership offers incredible value, fantastic flexibility and of course, will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.

Playtime is so much more exciting with friends, so if you’re an existing member and refer a new member before 29th February 2020, we’ll give you £16 cashback.**  There’s no limit to the amount of friends that you can refer – the more the merrier.

Little adventurers can visit as many times as they wish, enjoying unlimited fun at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Tumbles at Portobello and Scrambles at EICA: Ratho.

Edinburgh Leisure’s play frames are suitable for children up to ten years old, with dedicated baby, toddler and junior frames.  Each venue has a café where healthy snacks and tasty treats can be enjoyed.

With great member benefits including special offers, members’ events and free birthday party places, The Soft Play membership is only available to buy in person at your nearest Edinburgh Leisure soft-play venue.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/softplaycampaign

Pictures: Phil Wilkinson

Local derby opens new pitches at Hunters Hall

Sports facilities at Hunter Hall Park in Edinburgh have received a boost thanks to the opening of two new third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP).
The park, can now boast some of the best sporting facilities in the local area and both pitches will be floodlit, allowing year-round use in late evenings and during the winter.

The new pitches were officially opened by Culture and Communities Convener, Donald Wilson on Friday 10 January. He was joined by representatives from Edinburgh Leisure and Scottish Football Association at a special opening ceremony.

Players from local teams Edina and Gold & Gray cheered the opening before kicking off a friendly match.

The football pitches offer outstanding amenities for the local sports clubs and the wider community. This phase of the redevelopment of the facilities in the area has also brought improved path network and overflow car park.

Funding from Section 75 contributions from local developments has enabled the Council to refurbish the existing 2G full size pitch and convert an existing grass pitch area to form a new 7-aside floodlit 3G playing surface.

This modern facility can be much more widely used, becoming a community hub for football in the area. The work was carried out by Allsports Construction & Maintenance Ltd.

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Donald Wilson said: “I’m delighted that with our partners we have been able to provide these pitches which will offer year-round opportunities for both adults and young people to take part in sport.

“Not only will it help to increase participation in football and outdoor sport, it will also help the development of grassroots football in the area.

“As a council, we are committed to encouraging and enabling everyone to become more physically active and enjoy the associated benefits. We want sport to be as accessible as possible for our residents and our investment in fit-for-purpose sports facilities is helping to ensure that as many people as possible can get involved in sport throughout the year.”

An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson said: “Making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh is at the heart of what we do.

“The upgraded 3G floodlit pitches will mean more opportunities for the local community to get involved in grassroots football.”

David Gold from Gold & Gray Soccer Academy added: “We are very fortunate to work in partnership with Edinburgh leisure and the Jack Kane Centre.

“The standard of Astro allows us to put on quality sessions that benefit the physical health and wellbeing of the community as a whole.”

Brian Gunn, committee member of Edina Hibs added: “The new Astro turf pitch facilities at the Jack Kane Sports Centre are just what Edina Hibs Football Club and the local sports community needed.

“The new facility will enable Edina Hibs, in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure and Jack Kane Sports Centre, deliver our core aim of providing team sports to help keep children healthy and happy in the local community and beyond.

Jennifer Malone South East Regional Manager, Scottish Football Association added: “It’s fantastic to see this new facility opening which in turn will hopefully see even more of the local community taking part in the game.”