Council Starts the Phased Approach of Opening its Leisure Facilities

From Thursday 16 July, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will reopen selected leisure facilities as part of a phased approach in line with the NI Executive’s Pathway to Recovery.

The first stage will see the gym and group exercise classes reopen exclusively to Vitality Members at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex at 6.00am on 16 July. Pre-booking for all classes is essential and members are required to book their gym session at this time. Very limited changing and showering facilities will be available, on a first come, first served basis, and members are advised to arrive at the facilities prepared to start their workout.

The tenpin bowling centre at Dundonald International Ice Bowl will also open to customers on 16 July, providing a well-deserved day out for families over the summer months. Bowling must be pre-booked and numbers will be restricted to six family members per lane or a maximum of 4 non-family members socially distanced per lane. For the safety of all customers, screens will be in place between lanes and customers will be assigned dedicated bowling balls during their visit.

Many other activities will also reopen over the forthcoming weeks.  The gym and group exercise classes will open its doors to Vitality Members at Lough Moss Leisure Centre in Carryduff on Monday 27 July, while it is presently anticipated the swimming pool at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, ice skating at Dundonald International Ice Bowl and indoor sports courts will reopen to all customers on Friday 7 August.

Alderman Michael Henderson MBE, Chairman of the Leisure & Community Development Committee, speaking about the phased reopening said: “The Council is pleased to implement a phased approach as recommended by the NI Executive to allow customers to return to physical activity which is a vital step to enhance people’s health and wellbeing, particularly after a long period of lockdown.

“While the Council is excited to reopen, we recognise that we are now operating under a new ‘normal’ and visiting our centres may look a little different but we strive to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience under these new restrictions.

“Our staff will provide clear guidance throughout your visit to help maintain social distancing and ensure enhanced cleaning schedules are in place. This will mean numbers and session times will be restricted within the centre so it is essential that all activities and sessions must be booked online in advance.  Walk-ins will not be permitted at any centre and customers will be declined entry without a prior booking.

“At this time our gyms and group exercise classes will be restricted to Vitality Members only. Again all sessions, including time in the gym, must be booked online in advance and numbers will be restricted for the safety of all customers and staff. Very limited changing facilities will also be available and members are advised to arrive at facilities prepared to start their workout. The position in terms of moving as early as possible to wider use will be regularly reviewed.   

“We would ask customers to adhere to the one way system within centres and use the hand sanitisers displayed.  Customers are reminded that they should not travel to facilities if they or anyone in their household have Covid -19 symptoms and if they feel unwell during their visit, they should speak to the Duty Manager immediately.

“The council would like to thank customers and Vitality members for their patience in this unprecedented time and look forward to welcoming everyone back to our centres over the coming weeks.”

All gym sessions and classes must be booked online.  Bowling bookings are available by phoning 028 9080 9123 / 028 9080 9129. Under no circumstances should visitors arrive at a centre without booking in advance

For further details about the opening of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council leisure facilities and a copy of the latest safety protocols, please click here.