Croydon gyms and swimming pools to reopen from Saturday

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Swimmers and gym goers will be able to return to Croydon’s leisure centres this Saturday after a four-month closure.

But there will be a series of new measures in place, including pre-booking for a maximum of one activity a day, to enable social distancing.

On Saturday, gyms, swimming pools and exercise classes will open at New Addington Leisure Centre and Thornton Heath Leisure Centre.

And while just the gym and exercise classes will open at Waddon and South Norwood leisure centres, swimming pools will not reopen until September.

Indoor sports halls at the four centres will be open from August 8.

But there is currently no date for when Purley, Ashburton Hall and Monks Hill leisure centres will begin to reopen.

There will be a series of new measures in place for those visiting the centres, including one-way systems and pre-booked time slots.

Members will be able to book their visit seven days in advance, from 10pm, and non-members will be able to book five days in advance, with bookings restricted to one activity per day.

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport at Croydon council, said: “Our operators GLL are going to have to do things a little differently to help everyone enjoy them as safely as possible, and we can all do our bit by following the new measures, to protect ourselves and each other.”