THE FURLOUGH SCHEME has saved thousands of jobs across the industry.
ELITE SWIMMERS PROTECTED
F
ortunately, elite swimmers, like Adam Peaty, have been made
exempt from the COVID restrictions and we look forward to cheering them on in the upcoming Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games later this year and the 2022 Commonwealth Games right here in England. The criteria for who qualifies for
the exemption for elite swimming is very narrow and so we are working hard to get all our clubs and members of all ages back in the water and resuming competitions as soon as we possibly can. GLL also have a couple of facilities that have remained operational to accommodate British Diving, British Para Swimming and British Canoeing Athletes preparing for the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
coronavirus crisis and beyond.” The impact of the previous and
current lockdowns will be felt in the commercial sectors in both the public and private sectors right the way through 2021 and into 2022, predicts Steve Nelson, Commercial and International Manager for Certikin International.
GRADUAL RETURN
“When restrictions are lifted again, I wonder how many pools will start back up straight away, or will it be a slow gradual return to operation,” Steve ponders. “I can see the private sector
returning first; the gyms, health clubs, holiday parks and hotels where the draw of the pool and general leisure facilities will aid in generating income for the operators. “The public sector may be a little longer to return to operation as with financial pressures across services are pools going to be a top priority, I hope
“MORE SUPPORT FOR THESE SWIMMING FACILITIES IS REQUIRED IF THE UK IS TO MAINTAIN ACCESS TO LOCAL AND
AFFORDABLE PROVISION.” - Andrew Clark, National Sports & Aquatics Manager, GLL
so for our general health wellbeing and getting our children and families enjoying swimming again that they will be viewed as an essential part of getting society active again.” Dyfed Thomson Smith, General Manager for AstralPool UK agrees: “The commercial market is swinging like an unpredictable pendulum with shutdowns at short notice,” he points out. “The uncertainty is not helping although by the time we came to the third lockdown, public pool operators were familiar with the necessary procedures involved. “We are seeing people taking the opportunity to get updated work
undertaken prior to Easter mostly involving plant room upgrades and media changes,” Dyfed reveals. “There is plenty of demand for
quotations but it is a difficult market gauge with see-sawing in terms of government actions, it is unclear yet whether local government are going to relook at leisure budgets as they tighten strings.” Steve Nelson agrees and believes the implications are that budgets will be tight for a while and only essential maintenance and breakdowns will be covered.
“It will be interesting to see after this current lockdown the demand for equipment in the commercial sector,” he says. “A lot of this will be again determined
how the pools have been left over this current lockdown and in some cases since March. “Will we see an influx of pumps that
have stopped working, valves that have rusted open or closed, chemical dosing systems that probes have dried out and filters leaking? “ However, Steve believes, some
positives will come from this over the short to medium term. He points out: “Staycations will continue to be a popular choice, as although the vaccine will be being rolled out and travel will be allowed, not all countries are keeping pace with our programme, and people may choose to stay in the UK for the summer of 2021 to avoid the risk of quarantining if outbreaks
poolandspascene.com 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
