Royal Commonwealth Pool – Page 2 – The NEN

Talk about sport? Reminisce, Replay, Reconnect with Sporting Memories

Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland, in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, is running a weekly club for older adults to stay active, connected within their local community and build amazing friendships through their common love of sport.

Held on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.00 at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, the club runs weekly and is free to attend. No need to book – just turn up.

They are the perfect forum to reminisce about local sporting heroes, share stories about past playing days and show off your knowledge over a quiz or fun game. Everyone is welcome and a cuppa is available too.

Donna Mackey, Partnership Manager, SMFS, “The Royal Commonwealth Pool is a venue at the real heart of Edinburgh’s sporting heritage.

“We believe there are lots of older adults in the area who have a passion for talking about sport and who will benefit from attending a weekly group with like-minded people. The clubs are a great opportunity to build new friendships and become more active by taking part in some of our indoor games.”

Edinburgh Leisure’s Community Development Officer, Active Ageing, Ryan Dignan said: “Edinburgh Leisure’s partnership with Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland makes perfect sense, as does hosting these clubs at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, a building steeped in its own sporting history.

“These clubs support the work we are already doing working with people living with dementia through our Movement for Memories programme and other older adults in our Ageing Well programme, who are keen to keep active and engaged, which we know is particularly beneficial for their well-being.

“Using the rich history and heritage of sport, the Sporting Memories clubs are open to older adults, both men and women, who enjoy reminiscing about their experiences of watching or playing it. We just want anyone, with a love of sport, to come along and refreshments are provided.”

The clubs are run by trained Sporting Memories volunteers who use a wide range of Sporting Memories reminiscence resources developed specifically to help prompt conversation and discussion. There is always great fun and laughter, friendships are forged, and some remarkable sporting stories often emerge.

Sporting Memories has developed an innovative and engaging approach to tackling the challenges of our ageing society. Their work focuses on reducing loneliness and isolation; getting older people physically active; and helping people to live well with dementia and other long term conditions.

For further information, contact Donna Mackey donna@thesmf.co.uk

Springboard into diving

Diving taster sessions at the Royal Commonwealth Pool

With Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games kicking off today, with diver James Heatly who trains at the Royal Commonwealth Pool with coach Jen Leeming, taking part, Edinburgh Leisure is on the hunt for the next generation of divers.

For those who have been inspired by divers such as James Heatly, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (daughter of Fred!), Tom Daley and Matty Lee, Edinburgh Leisure is offering the opportunity for children to come and try diving with their Performance Diving Coaches at the Royal Commonwealth Pool to see if they have a talent for the sport.

Children should be between 5 and 16 years old, able to swim 10 metres unaided, confident in deep water and submerge in water without googles. No experience in necessary as they will be learning basic skills but those interested in gymnastics, trampolining, acrobatics or similar sports might enjoy this opportunity to try a new sport.

The diving taster sessions cost £3 at the Royal Commonwealth Pool are offered on:

Monday, 8^th – Friday, 12 August at 15.00 – 15.25 and 15.30 – 15.55.

To secure a place, interested people should click visit the Edinburgh Leisure website to book:

https://edinburghleisure.bookinglive.com/home/holiday-dive-coaching

Edinburgh Leisure offers a world class diving programme at their diving pool at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, complete with a dedicated Dry Dive Area with trampolines and harnesses, which enables more experienced divers to practice the twists and turns before trying them out on the boards. Their diving programme follows the National Diving Award Scheme right through to competitive level.

Athletes training at the Royal Commonwealth Pool include local Edinburgh boy, James Heatly (GB) and Yona Knight-Wisdom (Jamaica). Grace Reid, who grew up in the capital, previously trained at the Commie.

For more information: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/dive

Tackling dementia, depression and loneliness through the power of sport

Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure will be running a weekly club, supporting older adults to stay active, connected within their local community, and build amazing friendships through their common love of sport.

Starting on Tuesday, 16^th August 2022, the weekly, free drop-in sessions will take place every Tuesday, from 10.30am to 12.00 at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. The sessions are the perfect forum to reminisce about local sporting heroes, share stories about past playing days and show off your knowledge over a quiz or fun game. Everyone is welcome and a cuppa will be available too.

Donna Mackey, Partnership Manager, SMFS, “We are really excited to launch our newest Sporting Memories partnership at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, a venue at the real heart of Edinburgh’s sporting heritage.

Sam Scott, Health Development Officer (Dementia) at Edinburgh Leisure said: “These sessions were originally due to start in April 2020 but for obvious reasons, they had to be put on hold.

“However, Edinburgh Leisure’s partnership with Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland makes perfect sense, as does hosting these clubs at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, a building steeped in its own sporting history. These clubs will support the work we are already doing working with people living with dementia through our Movement for Memories programme.

“Using the rich history and heritage of sport, the Sporting Memories clubs are open to older adults who enjoy reminiscing about their experiences of watching or playing it. We just want anyone, with a love of sport, to come along and refreshments are provided.”

The clubs are run by trained by Sporting Memories volunteers who use a wide range of Sporting Memories reminiscence resources developed specifically to help prompt conversation and discussion. There is always great fun and laughter, friendships are forged, and some remarkable sporting stories often emerge.

Sporting Memories has developed an innovative and engaging approach to tackling the challenges of our ageing society. Their work focuses on: reducing loneliness and isolation; getting older people physically active; and helping people to live well with dementia.

Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team launched Movement for Memories in September 2018. This programme supports people living with dementia and their carers to become or remain physically active in Edinburgh.

This work is supported with funding from the Life Changes Trust. The Trust is funded by the Big Lottery.

For further information, contact Donna Mackey donna@thesmf.co.uk

Try Artistic Swimming: free trial at Royal Commonwealth Pool

Would your young swimmer (8+) like to try artistic (synchronised) swimming?

We are having a trial session on 29th May.

Please help us spread the word.

Adventure is calling with Edinburgh Leisure’s soft-play membership

Join the adventure with Edinburgh Leisure’s Young Explorer soft-play membership. A place for children to explore, have fun and be active at Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues.

There has never been a better time to sign up for the soft play membership as Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool has just completed an exciting refurbishment. Join in March 2022 and receive the month of May free.

The Young Explorer soft play membership gives unlimited soft play at three Edinburgh venues from only £16.70 per month for one child, £28.00 for two children, £33.80 for three children and £39.50 for four children.

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.

Young explorers 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 Tumbles at Portobello, Scrambles at EICA: Ratho and Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Clambers has a brand-new frame for babies, toddlers, and juniors, with an aquatic theme and is designed so parents can supervise easily, and children can play freely all within a securely gated area.

There are slides, an upper storey football pitch and many more exciting features to explore. Its party room and Café Refresh has also been rebranded featuring hero character Skye and her mountain friends and both areas have new tables and chairs; its café servery has been extended; and the reception desk has been replaced.

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

And with Scottish Government restrictions easing, there is no longer the need to pre-book sessions. In addition, 90-minute sessions are also available, in addition to shorter 60-minute sessions.

The Young Explorer is available to buy online.

For more information: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Clambers guarantees climbing fun as popular soft play reopens

Children can once again get active at Edinburgh Leisure’s Clambers soft play at the Royal Commonwealth Pool when it reopens tomorrow (Thursday 24th February) after its five-week closure for a major refurbishment.

Clambers has a new frame for babies, toddlers, and juniors, with an aquatic theme and is designed so parents can supervise easily, and children can play freely, all within a securely gated area.

There are slides, an upper storey football pitch and many more exciting features to explore. Its party room has also been rebranded; its Café Refresh has been upgraded with new tables and chairs; its café servery extended and the reception desk has been replaced.

When Clambers reopens there will no longer be the requirement to pre-book sessions – parents, carers and guardians can just rock up and there are now also 90-minute sessions to enjoy, in addition to the 60-minute sessions.

Edinburgh Leisure’s two other soft plays – Scrambles at EICA: Ratho and Tumbles at Portobello, will also be removing the need to pre-book sessions, which will come into play from Tuesday, 1^st March. In addition, 90-minute sessions will also be added.

Lynne Bauba, Manager at Royal Commonwealth Pool said: “It seems that we are finally moving towards some sort of normality, and we are delighted to be reintroducing our 90-minute sessions, in addition to our 60-minute sessions – so, you can now enjoy our soft plays for longer.

“It is worth noting though that if you’re visiting at peak times, you may only be able to enjoy our soft play for a shorter 60-minute session rather than 90, or you may have to wait a little until space becomes available. It will be worth the wait though as the new look Clambers is looking fabulous. We can’t wait to welcome you back.”

For more information: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Edinburgh Leisure making aquatic activity more accessible

Funding from Swim England has enabled Edinburgh Leisure’s Royal Commonwealth Pool to install ‘a Poolpod’, a submersible lift, creating inclusive swimming environments for people with long-term health conditions, disabilities and rehabilitation needs.

The London Marathon Charitable Trust (LMCT) provided a £750,000 grant in 2020 to allow Swim England and its partners, the Activity Alliance, Community Leisure UK and GLL – to enhance swimming provisions at selected venues across the UK. The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh is the only Scottish recipient, out of 20 sites across the UK, to receive the funding.

With one in five people in our population disabled or living with a long-term health condition, ‘the Poolpod’ gives dignified and independent access to the water for swimmers.

Lynne Bauba, Manager at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “The Poolpod was installed just before the lockdown in March 2020, and with the reduced capacity in our pool when we reopened due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to shout about the Poolpod until now.

“However, regular customers with long-term health conditions, disabilities and rehabilitation needs, have been delighted with this new facility.”

One such customer, Alison Malcolm, who became paralysed from the waist down aged 50, explains how she has benefitted from using the new Poolpod and why she loves swimming.

“When I got back in the pool for the first time, my body confidence was low, and I was concerned I wouldn’t float. It sounds daft but after five months in bed, it took a long time for my body to reset.

“However, the staff were great about encouraging me to swim. I’ve never met a member of staff who didn’t want to help.

“Swimming is one of the most accessible ways for people with disabilities to incorporate physical activity into their lives. One of the things I like most about it is that once you’re in the water, you’re the same as everyone else. It has been a great way for me to get active again and using the Poolpod to get in and out of the pool has made the whole experience more enjoyable.

“Now I tend to swim 24 lengths at the Commie three mornings a week. I enjoy the 50m lengths because I can get in the zone and give myself a cardio workout without putting too much strain on my body.”

Edinburgh Leisure boasts 18 swimming pools across the city, including their stunning Victorian swimming baths and pools within the secondary schools.

They offer a variety of pool-based activities to suit all abilities and while the Royal Commonwealth Pool is the only one to boast a Poolpod, most of them have hoists, which the leisure attendants are trained on, to assist people less able to access the pools.

Sir Rodney Walker, Chairperson of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: “The Trust funds work which challenges inequality of access to physical activity. We want to help create a society in which everyone is physically active, contributing to their health and wellbeing.

“We know that people who benefit most from aquatic activity – including disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, older people, people with mobility issues and pregnant women – often face the biggest barriers to accessing a swimming pool.”

This exciting initiative is making swimming pools across the UK more accessible and ensuring a more inclusive customer experience for all.

The substantial grant from the LMCT has boosted Swim England’s Water Wellbeing model, which aims to help leisure centres remove barriers to accessing the water.

Water Wellbeing’s ‘whole facility’ approach encourages centres to understand and improve the customer experience, through a wide range of resources available on the Swim England website.

Soft Play’s back in action at Edinburgh Leisure

Soft play centres reopen today

Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play centres, Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Scrambles at the EICA and Tumbles at Portobello will finally be reopening their doors to customers today, Monday, 19 July 2021.

Bookings for members went live at 9pm on Tuesday, 13 July and for non-members on Wednesday, 14 July.

Claire Rusack, Leisure Manager at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Clambers said: “It’s been such a long time coming after an extended lock-down, which meant that we weren’t able to open as originally planned on 7^th June, but we’re delighted that we can finally welcome back our youngest of customers and their parents and carers to let off some steam.

“So, for anyone with little ones who need to burn off some energy, make sure you’re not disappointed by pre-booking in advance for any sessions you want to attend via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website. And if you think you might be a regular customer, you might want to consider buying one of our soft-play memberships.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions Edinburgh Leisure has had to adapt their offering with pre-booking done via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website only for all visits, either 8 days in advance for members or 7 days for non-members. No parties or special events can be booked at this stage.

All three venues will follow the same daily opening times from 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Sunday, with five pre-bookable slots of 60-minutes each to accommodate deep cleaning between each. At the start of each month, the frames will be treated with a 30-day virus protection.

Adults will book a table for a maximum of six people, which will include adults, children, and babies.

Adults can remove face coverings while seated at the table but will be required to wear them at all other times, especially when moving around the space. A café service will be available throughout all sessions. However, we are running a restricted menu at this time.

To adhere to Government guidelines, there will be no adults or staff allowed in the frames.

However, adults can enter the frame to support a child with additional support needs. All adults entering the frame or walking around the soft play area must wear a face covering. Space in baby areas where adults are present, will be limited, due to physical distancing.

Currently, frame capacity has been reduced to 40% of normal operating capacity, and ball pools and modular items have been removed.

The cost of a 60-minute session is: free for 0-6 months; £4.40 for 6 months – 2 years; and £6.80 for children 3 years and over.

And for regular soft-play attendees, there is an option to buy a membership, offering great value.

A monthly membership costs £16.70 for one child; £28.00 for two children; £33.80 for three children; and £39.50 for four children, which can be used at any of the three Edinburgh Leisure soft play centres across the city.

The Edinburgh Leisure app can be downloaded from the Google and App stores.

For more information, visit: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Thrill seekers: Slide this way!

Edinburgh Leisure launch AquaDash Extreme

Calling all thrill seekers, Edinburgh Leisure is launching a new extreme element to AquaDash, its inflatable playground on water at the Royal Commonwealth Pool when it reopens on Saturday, 26 June 2021. Bookings are now live.

Two inflatable slides will be attached to the 3m and 5m diving platforms and will be available during some of the Saturday AquaDash sessions.

Two different types of sessions will be offered: AquaDash (normal offering) and AquaDash Extreme (which includes the slides). Customers who attend AquaDash Extreme will be able to move between the AquaDash assault course and the slides during their 45-minute sessions.

Launched by Edinburgh Leisure in February 2018, it was the very first in Scotland. Suitable for all fitness levels, AquaDash is the ideal activity for the full family to enjoy. Participants slide, climb, and bounce their way through thrilling challenges, beating each one and racing friends and family to victory. There is a bonkers bridge, slippery slide, wacky wiggle discs and adventurous action tower to name a few.

Customers aged 6 years can access AquaDash. There is no specific swim requirement although the activity is more enjoyable if participants have water confidence and some swimming ability.

Claire Rusack, Leisure Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “After the year everyone has had, AquaDash Extreme is sure to inject some excitement into life. AquaDash is fun but without the sun.

“Whilst we might not be blessed with wonderful continental weather, AquaDash promises all the excitement of an amusement water park but indoors in a safe environment that can be enjoyed by all family. And it promises a good workout at the same time.”

To ensure everyone remains safe, there have been some changes to the way AquaDash operates:

The maximum number has been reduced from 45 to 25 to ensure appropriate distancing between adults.
The safety briefing has been reviewed to include rules of play to ensure appropriate distancing is adhered to
There will be a break of 15 minutes between sessions to enable sanitising of the course.
- Session times have been reduced from 50 minutes to 45 minutes to enable these changes.

AquaDash/AquaDash Extreme* will be available on the following days:

Saturday

13.45, 14.45*, 15.45*, 16.45*, 17.45*.

Sunday

08.45, 09.45, 10.45, 11.45, 12.45.

The basic AquaDash sessions will cost £10.00 for an adult and £8.50 for a junior. AquaDash Extreme will cost £12.00 for adults and £10.50 for juniors and last 45-minutes.

All sessions will need to be pre-booked and paid online.

Customers will be able to book 28 days in advance (rolling booking date).

Book on the Edinburgh Leisure app or website:

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

DO YOU DARE TO DO THE DASH?

The Commie unveils new car parking system

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.

For more information: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk