Great News That Our Pools Can Re-Open
6th April 2021
The charitable trust which manages two swimming pools in the city is starting a phased re-opening of both facilities to the public from April 12.
Lonsdale Swimming & Sports Trust manages Gayton Pool in Littleover on behalf of Derby City Council and also runs Lonsdale Pool in Mickleover, which it is currently hoping to replace with a new facility nearby.
Pre-lockdown, more than 3,000 people a week used the pools ranging from parent and baby sessions and children’s lessons to adult swim sessions and aquafit classes.
Now, from April 12 – thanks to funds from the National Leisure Recovery Fund, Gayton Pool will re-start children’s swimming lessons. From April 19 children’s sessions for adults and babies and pre-school children will also re-open. Family fun sessions are organised in school holidays and these are earmarked for the May half-term week.
Meanwhile at Lonsdale Pool, adult lanes swimming, children’s lessons and the junior section of Derby Phoenix swimming club will return in the first phase.
As part of the government’s roadmap, adult sessions at the pools such as aquafit and senior clubs will not re-start until May 17 and the extended public sessions will also be re-introduced in school holidays.
Numbers in the pools and socially distanced at poolside will be limited for the foreseeable future with everyone asked to come ‘sport ready’ as changing room facilities will not be open.
A core team has continued the upkeep of the pools throughout lockdown and have been contacting families to re-book swimming lessons.
Manager Lynn Palmer said: “Everyday has been a school day and we have certainly had to be flexible and responsive to the changing situation over the past year.
“We are delighted that the April 12 relaxations have now been confirmed and we can’t wait to welcome people back to Gayton and Lonsdale pools.
“Our experience from when we were allowed to reopen last summer showed that our young swimmers and their parents/carers are very considerate and cooperative to the measures – appreciating that these are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The pools provide term-time teaching sessions for more than 30 schools across the city and, since March 8, many have taken the opportunity to re-introduce sessions which are part of the National Curriculum.
These include Royal School for the Deaf Derby. Headteacher Helen Shepherd said: “Some of our pupils are really keen swimmers and were delighted to be able to return to the pool. We also have some children with disabilities and being in the water allows them a freedom they don’t always have on land.
“Exercising has been hard for everyone during lockdown and so we are all very happy to be able to start swimming again. The children are really enjoying the gradual return to the activities they enjoy as lockdown eases and being back in the water is definitely one of their favourites.”
Lonsdale Swimming and Sports Trust chair Ian Cotter concluded: “As with other sports facilities, the stop/start over the past year has been very frustrating.
“April 12 will be a welcome start to our goal to Keep Derby Swimming and we all really hope that this will be the start of life getting back to normal.
“There will be a booking system in place which will also meet track and trace requirements and our goal is to make life as simple as possible for both staff and customers alike so that they can return to the water safely and responsibly.”
For more information about lessons and public sessions, please visit www.lsst.org.uk
We Are Looking For Trustees To Join Our Board – Can you Help?
15th February 2021
Do you have a couple of hours a month to spare to help Lonsdale Trust run your local Swimming Pool? We are a volunteer-led organisation that’s operating these community pools and we need your help!
We are looking for Trustees to join our Board and oversee the operation of the pools. We meet monthly to look at the way the organisation is running and decide on future direction. The proposed New Lonsdale Leisure Complex is a development project underway to replace Lonsdale pool and add more facilities. Prior to a new facility being built the regular operation of Lonsdale and Gayton pools is a high priority to provide a good service to our community.
If you feel can help or know someone who may be able to help, please let us know by contacting me directly as below.
Ian Cotter, Chairman
07796 982135
Temporary Pool Closure
2nd November 2020
Following the Governments announcement at the weekend, it is with heavy hearts we find ourselves closing our doors again on Wednesday 4th November 2020. Below is some important information regarding lessons and public swim sessions :
Swimming Lessons
Wednesday 4 November will be the last day of lessons. We will freeze all lesson payments and will be in touch via email when we have been advised we can re-open again.
Public Sessions
Wednesday 4 November will be the last day of public sessions until we can re-open again. If you have a pre-booked session, we will transfer the payments to a later date for when we re-open.
We would like to take this time to thank you for your continued support.
Ann Morris and all the staff at Gayton Pool
Lessons Cancelled 1 October
1st October 2020
Wearing a Face covering at Gayton Pool
23rd September 2020
Terms and Conditions for Public Sessions at Gayton Pool
1st September 2020
We are delighted to open our doors today, it has been so long since we have seen you all. Things will be different so please see booking details and terms and conditions below :
Online booking is required prior to your visit, see our booking system for details –Book online here
To ensure the smooth running of the pool, we have introduced a reduced timetable as a trial. Please note all sessions must be booked online to reserve your place and ensure you do the following :
- Please arrive beach-ready
- Flip flops must be worn
- Changing rooms are closed so please bring a towel, dressing gown/onesie etc…
- One toilet is accessible (disabled)
- We cannot accept walk-ins (sorry)
- You must pre-book and pay online
- Enquiries must be made through our enquiry box- located by the exit
- Swimmers must be 16 years or over
We look forward to seeing you soon.
FAQ’s for the re-opening of Gayton Pool
25th August 2020
We have compiled a list of useful information to give you an idea of what to expect when you return to Gayton Pool – click here to find out more – Gayton Pool – FAQ’S
Returning to Swimming lessons (September 2020)
20th August 2020
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to swimming lessons in September, however, things will be quite different from the last time you visited the pool. Please read all our guidelines carefully and should you have any queries at all, please get in touch via phone, email or our social media channels.
Guidelines for a safe return to Gayton pool – Gayton Pool Opening Information September 2020
Re-opening of Gayton Pool
4th August 2020
We are working really hard behind the scenes to plan for a safe re-opening of the pool.
At the moment, we are hoping to re-open on 1 September however, this will be purely for swimming lessons and school lessons. Due to the fewer numbers allowed in the pool at any one time, everything is going to take much longer.
Once we have trialled this for a few weeks we will be in a position to see how we can update the timetable and add in other activities.
We ask for your co-operation during this period and completely understand that you want to get back to the pool however, the safety of our swimmers and staff is our top priority.
Full terms and conditions along with a video of what to expect when you return to the pool will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Your commitment and support have kept us going through this strange and difficult time – Thank you so much.
Ann, Lynn and al the Staff at Gayton Pool
Newsletter 27 July 2020
27th July 2020
Firstly thank you for all your support, we really appreciate it. In order to re-open the pool safely, there is a huge amount of reorganising to do, from lessons, timetables, creating an online booking facility and so much more. In the meantime, we would like to advise you of the following changes:
Waiting Lists for all lessons
We have temporarily suspended all waiting lists for the time being and will let you know as soon as we are in a position to re-open them. For all lesson enquiries please can you send an email to – office@lsst.org.uk
Timetable
When the pool re-opens, we will be operating on a limited timetable which we are currently working on and should be available to view in the next couple of weeks, please keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
Video to explain re-opening procedures
A video showing you what to expect when you return to Gayton pool will be uploaded to our Facebook page within the next few weeks, we hope you will find this useful.
Telephone messages
At the moment, our staff are at the pool at varying times so please bear with us, we will get back to you but it may not be immediately.
We hope you find this useful, all announcements will be made via our Facebook page so please keep checking.
Thank you, everyone.