PUBLIC POOLS “We are very proud of how staff
have supported each other and their local communities during the Covid epidemic and there are great stories of local challenges, fund raising and volunteering that our staff have either organised or been engaged in.” The majority of GLL pools were put
PICTURED PRE-PANDEMIC. GLL are keeping staff informed on Covid-19 training.
them back as soon as we are able to, in the meantime we have frozen all payments and have given them free access to a library of workouts and training tips that they can undertake at home,” Andrew continues. “During the last lockdown we introduced a number of Swimming related webinars which were well received by customers and featured experts like Duncan Goodhew MBE giving advice on dryland swimming exercises. We will be announcing another schedule shortly.”
into hibernation to avoid ongoing costs. Utilising pool covers reduced the cost of reheating and the GLL facility management team monitor temperatures and pool quality constantly to ensure the team do not encounter any issues when it comes to reopening. “Never in our lifetimes have we had
to close all of our facilities and to have to reopen them again en masse,” Andrew points out. “To do so not once but three times in the period of six months has been a learning curve but it’s a challenge that we have risen to and we have led from the front, putting the safety of our customers and staff at the centre of every decision.
POST COVID
GLL have been fully engaged with the Government and national Governing Bodies to develop industry guidance for reopening and have continued to lead Industry thinking in terms of programming and the sustainability of pools in the post COVID environment. Says Andrew: “We are hoping to be
“THE COMMERCIAL POOL MARKET IS SWINGING LIKE AN UNPREDICTABLE PENDULUM WITH SHUTDOWNS AT SHORT NOTICE.”
- Dyfed Thompson Smith, AstralPool UK
With no income coming in during what would be their busiest time of the year, the furlough scheme has saved thousands of jobs across the industry. Andrew explains: “We have a skeleton structure in place to maintain key areas of the organisation and undertake building checks. “Staff are kept up to date with
regular newsletters and there is also a schedule of online CPD which they can access.
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able to reopen with the majority of services that were available in Tier 3 as a minimum, but as we have seen with each Government announcement, we
have learnt to build in multiple options and keep plans fluid! “We are looking forward to
welcoming our customers back,” emphasises Andrew. “The Health and Fitness Industry will be an essential part of the nation’s recovery and as a social enterprise which exists for the benefits of the community, we will be focussed on supporting their needs. “The costs of providing activities like
swimming are considerable and public sector facilities are facing some key challenges around sustainability that has been fast tracked by Covid. “More support for these swimming
facilities is required if the UK is to maintain access to local and affordable provision. “
“THE LONGER POOLS REMAIN SHUT, THE GREATER THE RISKS THAT MANY WILL NEVER REOPEN THEIR DOORS.” - Jane Nickleson, Swim England
PUBLIC POOLS are vital community hubs saving the NHS more than £357 million each year.
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