CLASSES are to resume at four key Council owned Leisure Centres in Derry and Strabane from next week it has been announced, with a number of restrictions in place in keeping with the latest government guidelines around Covid-19.
Over 50 classes will be available at Foyle Arena, Templemore Sports Complex, Derg Valley and Riversdale Leisure Centres, while online classes will continue to promote health and wellbeing on Council’s YouTube channel.
Gym members will be able to book class and gym sessions online from tomorrow, Friday July 31, at www.derrystrabane.com/leisure with services resuming from August 7th. Social distancing measures will be in place with limitations on class numbers so members are asked to book sessions in advance.
Access will be for existing members only with new members and casual bookings welcome once again from September, date to be confirmed.
Other Council fitness programmes will resume later in the month, including the popular Everybody Active Programme, which has already launched two virtual fitness challenges as part of the ‘Road to Running’ initiative.
A 5k virtual race will take place between August 29th and 7th September, while the 8k virtual race will take place between September 12th and 21st.
Welcoming the reopening, Mayor of Derry, Councillor Brian Tierney said: “Staff have been working intensively behind the scenes to ensure that every measure is in place to ensure the health and safety of everyone in keeping with the NI Executive’s COVID-19 guidelines.
“There will be some changes to safeguard both staff and members and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we phase in the return of leisure services in a manageable manner.
“We’re looking forward to a full resumption of services as soon as possible, and will be announcing further programmes and activities in the coming weeks with the return of our swimming programme at the end of August and the announcement of our Virtual Summer Camps for kids due in the coming days.
“I want to acknowledge all the hard work that has gone into getting our four Tier One Leisure Centres ready for reopening to the public, and thank everyone for their patience while the work was completed to ensure that we can maintain safe workout areas, hygiene levels and booking facilities whilst delivering our high standards of service.
“As a Council health and wellbeing is one of our key strategic priorities and I am delighted to see people getting back to the gym and taking on new and exciting fitness challenges online.”
A special leisure survey involving the public and user groups has helped shape the phased return of Council leisure services.
Hundreds of people have given their feedback and today the winner of the survey competition was also announced.
John Stewart who is a regular member at Templemore Sports Complex will enjoy a month’s All Inclusive package once leisure facilities are fully up and running.
Gym members returning to classes should note that there will be staggered start and end times and all sessions will last for less than 60 minutes.
Users must arrive ‘gym ready’ as shower and changing room facilities will be closed. Vending machines will be operational but on-site cafes remain closed and drinking water stations will be placed out of use so users are advised to bring their own drinking water.
Users will be required to sanitise on arrival and departure and to adhere to strict social distancing measures.
Any members who have cancelled their membership throughout the closure can now be reinstated, but there is an option to freeze membership for up to six months for anyone with concerns.
Find out more about this option at www.derrystrabane.com/leisure
Tier two leisure centre facilities at Brooke Park, City Baths, Melvin and Bishop’s Field will remain closed and under regular review as effective social distancing is problematic at these sites.
Regular updates on all Council leisure services are available on the website at www.derrystrabane.com/leisure
Anyone with any queries about membership or services should go to http://derrystrabaneleisure.com/faq
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