Sports centres and swimming pools across Richmond will start to reopen in phases, with reduced capacity, from next month.

Those wanting to use the facilities will now have to book a timed session in advance.

As a number of the centres are based on school sites, some of these facilities will not be able to fully reopen until the autumn.

Schedule for reopening

Monday, August 3

• Outdoor Pool - Pools on the Park

August 10

• Gym, Studio and Indoor Pools – Pools on the Park
• Gym, Studio and Indoor Pools – Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre

August 17

• Astro Pitch Only – Lincoln Fields
• Astro Pitch, Tennis and Beach Volleyball only – Teddington Sports Centre
• Gym, Studios and Astro Pitch (NOT the sports hall) – Shene Sports and Fitness Centre Hall)

September 7

• Hampton Sports Centre
• Whitton Sports Centre
• Remaining facilities at: Teddington Sports Centre and Shene Sports Centre

Over the past few weeks, Richmond Council said it has been working hard to make sure that all sports centres and swimming pools that it runs are safe and have measures in place that are in line with government and industry guidance, to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The government said gyms, leisure centres and indoor pools can reopen, if they are safely able to do so, on Saturday, July 25. Outdoor pools have been allowed to reopen since July 11.

Cllr J-F Burford, the council's Sports Champion, said: "Sports centres across the country have been closed for four months to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and although necessary, this has come at a great cost to our physical and mental health.

"We are so pleased that people can now take part in a range of activities that boost health and wellbeing and while we can't go back to the way things were just yet, we'll do everything we can to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable visit.

"We'll look at what we have in place every week and increase services wherever we can, but our main priority as we reopen is to keep our customers and staff safe.

"We've been in touch with bodies like UK Active, Swim England and UK Athletics to ensure that our plans are based on the very latest advice and we'll put everything you need to know on our website, so please check it before every visit to make sure you're prepared."

To ensure social distancing, facilities will have a significantly reduced capacity and all activity will be in timed sessions which all customers will be required to book onto in advance.

What's different?

All centres have undergone a rigorous deep clean.

Equipment in gyms have been moved to make it easier for customers to practise social distancing and signage has been installed throughout in order to remind customers of the current requirements.

New cleaning stations have been installed and customers are asked to clean equipment before and after use.

There will be limited access to changing rooms and lockers for customers wishing to swim.

The gym changing rooms, lockers and water fountains will not be in use. Customers will be asked to bring their own pre-filled water bottles.

The reception areas have been reworked to include Perspex dividers, in order to protect both staff and customers.

Status of memberships

In order to ensure social distancing, time for increased cleaning, and to support Test and Trace, all customers will be required to book onto all activities in advance.

All current Feel Good Fitness memberships are on hold and no further payments will be taken.

Members will be given advance written notice of any planned reactivation dates and this will include when the next direct debit will be taken (if on a monthly membership). The closure period will be added on to existing annual membership.

As part of the phased reopening, existing members are able to temporarily book and pay for admission on a Pay As You Go basis.

The council said it hopes this option allows the comfort and flexibility to book on to a session while we all learn to live with Covid-19.

Bookings can be made from Monday, July 27 via the LBRUT app, online on the council's website and by phone on 020 3772 2999.