Teaching swimming safely
Hambleton’s four leisure centres are teaching swimming safely.
A number of safety guidelines have been put in place including teaching from the poolside only, limiting the number of spectators, wearing of face masks in circulation and spectator areas and asking swimmers to arrive with swimwear on underneath their clothes and showering at home after lessons.
The centres in Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk & Sowerby have also enhanced their cleaning with greater focus on touch points, installed hygiene screens, hand sanitising stations and have clearly marked directional routes.
“Following Swim England guidance, we have implemented a phased return to lessons, starting with the higher ability swimmers." said Councillor Mrs Bridget Fortune, portfolio holder for Leisure.
“Our staff are working very hard to keep everyone happy and everything clean and to ensure the centres remain COVID-19 Secure. We have had some fantastic feedback and hope to increase the stages available as soon as it is possible.”
Celia Newton whose son attends Thirsk & Sowerby Leisure Centre said: “I was concerned about the hygiene/risk factor but every last detail had been clearly thought through. You are directed to your own thoroughly cleaned cubicle which is yours till you leave the centre and with less children in the lesson and the pool they are able to be kept socially distanced throughout the lesson. Well done to all the staff involved.”
There are still some limited spaces available for Stage 4 classes and upwards. For more information contact the centres: