Swimming pools across North Tyneside prepare to reopen

Swimming pools at council leisure facilities are set to reopen on Monday 10 August, with instructor-led fitness classes also making a comeback.

As part of a phased reopening of leisure services, swimming will return at Hadrian Leisure Centre, Tynemouth Pool, and the Lakeside Centre. Additional planning is needed at Waves, in Whitley Bay, but the popular leisure pool will reopen the following week on Monday 17 August.

Individual lane swimming will be available in the main pools, alongside aquafit, while smaller pools will be reserved for families. Waves will be mainly for recreational swimming.

Customers will be required to book individual lane swim sessions online or on the phone. Family group sessions can only be booked by phone. Bookings will be taken from Thursday 6 August.

All swimming slots will be for one hour, which will include the time it takes to get changed before and after swimming.

As part of the ‘new normal’ at North Tyneside swimming facilities, customers will also be asked to arrive with their swimwear already on beneath their clothing to help the venues manage changing facilities and timetables. 

On arrival, users will be allocated a cubicle and locker to use before and after their swim. Showers will be available pre swimming to help maintain pool hygiene, but showers and vanity areas will not be available after swimming. Toilets will be available.

The council’s first phase of reopening leisure services began on July 27, with a successful relaunch of Contours gyms at venues across the borough, and over 3,500 visits in the first week back.

Customers took to social media to say how impressed they were with the new arrangements. One customer remarked: “So nice to be back. The staff were very welcoming and well done for all the measures put in place. I really enjoyed my first day back and look forward to getting back into the swing of things.” Another said: “Very well organised - loads of cleaning stations and a nice feel. Well done, so glad to be back”

Councillor Sarah Day, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: “Following the successful relaunch of our Contours gyms and virtual classes in July, we are looking forward to welcoming people back into our swimming pools after what has felt like a very long four months. 

“The user experience will be slightly different, as we continue to put safety at the heart of every decision we make, and our returning customers will find there are lots of measures in place to ensure a safe, but friendly, leisure environment for everyone to enjoy.

“Our pools are well-maintained and properly chlorinated, with numerous risk control measures in place. Chlorine-based disinfectants are very effective against a wide range of viruses and bacteria.

“We urge everyone to familiarise themselves with our procedures and protocols before they visit, and we will continue to update our residents as we continue the process of reviving our leisure facilities and supporting our residents to live a healthy and active lifestyle."

Important information before you visit.