Residents in Portsmouth will soon be able to get back into the water as pools across the city start to reopen. Public lane swimming and selected aqua classes are set to resume at Mountbatten Leisure Centre from Wednesday 19 August 2020. Furthermore, customers who have swimming lessons are being contacted this week to advise that sessions at Mountbatten and Charter Community Sports Centre are scheduled to resume during September.
Operating to Swim England guidelines, public lane swimming sessions at Mountbatten Leisure Centre will be available in 50-minute slots. Capacity will be limited at first to promote social distancing. Sessions and aqua classes will have to be booked in advance either via the centre’s website bhliveactive.org.uk or BH Live Active’s mobile app. Sessions will be available to members and on a pay as you go basis.
Portsmouth Northsea will also be resuming their training sessions.
“We know that our customers are looking forward to getting back into the pools and, together with the council, we are pleased to be able to make this happen,”
says Rob Cunningham, BH Live’s Head of Leisure. “He adds,
“A number of new procedures will be in place and our team will be available in centre to help customers adjust. While some of these safety measures may feel a bit different to what people have been used to, we ask our customers to work with us, support us and to play their part in helping us get back to normal service as soon as possible.”
To help minimise time spent in the changing rooms and maintain water quality customers will be asked to arrive swim ready with swimwear underneath clothing – they will also be encouraged to shower before and after at home.
Customers will be able to book lane swimming sessions and aqua classes at Mountbatten Leisure Centre from Monday 17 August 2020. More information and booking details can be found at bhliveactive.org.uk and on the BH Live Active mobile app.
The swimming pools at Eastney and Pyramids remain closed at this time.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development & Deputy Leader added,
“I am delighted that BH Live are able to confirm Covid Secure public lane swimming will be available to residents at Mountbatten and that swimming lessons can re-start at Mountbatten and Charter. It is essential that our pools are able to meet all of the guidelines and we must delay any further pool openings until the guidance allows”.
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Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
BH Live operates the following venues in partnership with Portsmouth City Council:
- Mountbatten Leisure Centre – Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue with a 50m swimming pool, 150 station gym, eight-court sports hall, squash, spin and dance studios, a cycle velodrome, athletics track, function suites with bars, a café and soft play facility. It is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction which opened in 2018.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Twitter and Facebook @mountbattenlc
- Pyramids Centre – one of Portsmouth’s entertainment and leisure venues. Overlooking Southsea beach and the Solent it has fun pools, flumes, a wave machine and a three-level soft play facility. There is a gym, weekly group exercise classes and a spa.
It also hosts regular live music events, conferences, exhibitions.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk and bhlivetickets.co.uk
Get social with us: Twitter @PyramidsCentre @PyramidsLive @bhlivetickets
Facebook @Pyramids.Centre @PyramidsLive @bhlivetickets
- Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre – gymnastics hall with physiotherapy and meeting room.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre
- Portsmouth Tennis Centre – Situated in the north of Portsmouth consisting of four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts. A comprehensive coaching programme caters for all ages and abilities. Sessions are available for tots, juniors, adults and also includes variations of the sport such as cardio tennis and touch tennis.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Twitter @PortsTennis and Facebook @PortsmouthTC
- Eastney Swimming Pool – 20m swimming pool and a spectator area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @EastneyPool
- Wimbledon Park Sports Centre – 20 station gym, five badminton courts, basketball court and sports hall.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @WimbledonParkSportsCentre
- Charter Community Sports Centre – 20m swimming pool, 20 station gym, sports hall and an outdoor multi-use games area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us: Facebook @CharterCommunitySC