Following the latest Welsh Government review of Coronavirus restrictions, residents will be able to access Leisure for Life gyms and swimming pools in Rhondda Cynon Taf from Monday, May 3rd.
This will include the brand-new facility located at Llys Cadwyn in Pontypridd, which will offer an exceptional fitness environment for customers.
However, Rhondda Sports Centre & Llantrisant Leisure Centre will continue to provide temporary support for community mass vaccination efforts and will only be able to offer a limited provision of facilities and classes. Further information on the schedule and arrangements for these Centres will be publicised later this week via the Leisure for Life app and the social media accounts of Rhondda Sports Centre and Llantrisant Leisure Centre.
Hawthorn Leisure Centre will also re-open on Thursday, May 13th, following its use as an election counting centre for the Pontypridd constituency in the upcoming Senedd elections.
From April 26, Leisure for Life customers can also enjoy a full programme of over 70 outdoor fitness classes across the County Borough, with indoor classes commencing from Monday, 17th May.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “We know that many of our residents and Leisure for Life members are keen to get back to the gym and the pool and we want to reassure them we are doing everything we can to facilitate that in a safe and compliant way.
“Following the recent Welsh Government announcement, outdoor classes in locations across the County Borough will begin on April 26 and I am sure this will be welcome news for many – I know staff can’t wait to see their customers again.
“We are also working behind the scenes towards the May 3rd date for the opening of our gyms and swimming pools. Then, from May 17th, indoor classes will return and all activities will be pre-bookable via the leisure centres, online or the Leisure for Life App.
“Social distancing requirements will be in force, reducing the number of people who can visit our centres at any one time; also the need for deep cleaning between sessions will impact on the numbers we can accommodate. However, we are looking to open centres earlier and close later where we can, to increase the number of sessions.
“Llantrisant Leisure Centre and Rhondda Sports Centre are essential venues in the fight against Covid-19, with thousands of people each week being vaccinated at the sites. As such, they can only open as leisure centres for a limited time each week whilst this vital programme is ongoing, although we hope to be able to increase this offer over the coming weeks.
“As the fight against COVID-19 continues, and the Council continues to do what it can to support this effort, we encourage members who regularly use these facilities to use alternative venues where possible and to try our fantastic range of outdoor fitness classes.
“On that note, it is timely for us to pay tribute to the Leisure for Life staff. Unable to do their usual jobs within leisure centres, they have been redeployed and retrained to help deliver food parcels and various other duties, including administering COVID-19 tests and vaccines.”
Since their closure in the first national lockdown, Leisure for Life centres were repurposed and used as foodbanks, Covid-19 testing centres and, more recently at Rhondda Sports Centre and Llantrisant Leisure Centre, Community Mass Vaccination Centres.
Scores of Leisure for Life staff were redeployed and retrained so they could support the pandemic effort, delivering food and medicine to those who were shielding, administering Covid-19 Lateral Flow Tests and assisting with the mass vaccination effort.
Leisure for Life continues to work to deliver what activities it can within the guidelines and timelines set by the Welsh Government. All news and latest information can be found on its Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts. You can also download the Leisure for Life APP for free.
Key information:
- Download the free Leisure for Life APP for timetables and to book a class, swim or gym session up to seven days in advance.
- You can also book via the telephone on 01443 562202.
- Due to the sudden lockdown when memberships were frozen, all Leisure for Life members will have free access for the month of May.
- Those who wish to continue to freeze their memberships can do so by emailing leisuremembership@rctcbc.gov.uk
- Strict safety, hygiene and social distancing measures will be in place at the sites, please adhere to guidance.
Posted on 22/04/2021