Zest

What activities are going to be available in Step 4 of the Reopening Roadmap

Our leisure centres have reopened and we are thrilled to welcome our customers back. Step 1 (29 March), Step 2 (12 April), Step 3 (17 May) and Step 4 (19 July) of reopening saw the introduction of most activities and sessions.

The below table identifies the available activities from 19 July 2021 and provides booking guidance. Activity capacity numbers will be controlled and booking times have been adjusted in line with government guidance. 

Please be aware that Thirsk & Sowerby Leisure Centre is closed whilst the £4m redevelopment is completed, it is due to reopen September 2021. More information on the development can be found here

We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

How are we protecting our customers and teams?

The safety of our customers and teams is our number one priority. We have put a range of safety and hygiene measures in place. These include:

• hand sanitising stations throughout the leisure centres
• more frequent cleaning, more often, with greater focus on contact points
• installation of hygiene screens
• the introduction of a cashless payment option
• the training all of our staff in COVID secure operations
• All sessions operate to our normal adult/child ratio policy (maximum x2 children to x1 adult)
• Face masks are recommended in communal areas and circulation spaces.

Whilst we have measures in place to maintain the highest level of hygiene across our centres, we also have an expectation from our visitors to take responsibility for their own hygiene. Please clean down equipment before and after use to support each other in maintaining a safe and clean environment. Face masks are recommended in communal areas and circulation spaces.

 Please also follow our clear safety guidance: 

• Hands: Wash them often
• Elbow: Cough into it
• Space: Keep a safe distance
• Feel Poorly: Stay home

What do I need to do on arrival?

Booking and queuing system will remain in place to allow us to manage quick access into your session. Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your session and follow the signage in place. Sessions can be pre-booked and paid for at the time of booking, however walk-in access is permitted

Once in the centre you should sanitise your hands using the hand sanitiser dispenser provided and check-in using our contactless card reader

There are often waiting lists for spaces, your place will be offered to someone else after 10 minutes following the start of the booked activity. After this time late arrivals will not be permitted.

I requested to freeze my membership before the third closure. What happens to my membership?

If you requested for your membership to be FROZEN and this was actioned before we closed for the third time in January 2021, you will remain frozen on reopening. If you wish to unfreeze your membership please email: [email protected]

I am a member at Thirsk & Sowerby Leisure Centre – what happens to my membership?

Thirsk & Sowerby Leisure Centre’s major development project is now well underway. Work began in February, and includes an extension and centre upgrades, and is expected to be completed for a September opening.

The centre will be closed for the whole of this period to complete the development. Membership accounts at Thirsk have been suspended during the closure, however adult members will have the opportunity to use Bedale, Northallerton and Stokesley Leisure Centres.

If you are a Thirsk member who would like to reactivate your membership in order to access another leisure centre, you can email: [email protected]

What is happening with Junior Memberships?

Junior members who attend swimming lessons will be contacted by the leisure centre regarding restarting .

Please contact [email protected] if you would like your child’s membership unfreezing in order for them to attend activities that have resumed.

What if I recently cancelled my direct debit at the bank but want to come back?

If you cancelled your direct debit at the bank, we fully understand your decision to do so surrounding the uncertainty of the current situation. If you wish to reinstate your direct debit we can assist you with this. Please email [email protected] and we will be in touch with you to get things started again.

I am not currently a member, but interested in joining. Can I do this?

After reviewing our operation and capacity you now have the following options to join us, you can join online here:

• Join online

Alternatively you can complete a membership enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss membership options or you can telephone reception for further details.

• Membership enquiry form

You can still choose to attend our leisure centres on a pay per visit basis, a Zest Discount Card can be purchased which will allow you to access the gym, swimming and fitness classes at a reduced rate as well as providing enhanced booking privileges.

A welcome workout and signed health commitment statement is required to access the gym and fitness classes, appointments are now available online or by calling reception.

Please ensure you have read and understand what we currently have on offer in regards to timetables, capacities and booking before deciding to join.

Are there any changes to leisure centre timetables?

You can view our leisure centre programmes here:

• Re-opening Swim timetables
• Re-opening Gym Timetables 
• Re-opening Group Fitness Timetables

Pool timetables will change on 26 July to coincide with the summer holidays. School Holiday Timetables will be available online and in-centre shortly.

Timetables are subject to change and are available at the Civic Centre and the leisure centres when we reopen. Ensure you also read the guidance relevant to each specific timetable/activity - this is included within the gym, group fitness and pool programmes, and includes important information that you will need to be aware of before you attend for the first time.

Is the booking system mandatory?

We recommend booking to attend the gym, fitness classes, Toning Suite or to swim in one of our pools. This helps us to control and assess the flow of visitors and will prevent unnecessary queuing.

Walk-in access is permitted; however, we advise booking to avoid disappointment.

How do I book my session/activity?

You can book online, via our Zest App or over the telephone for the gym, swimming, group fitness classes and Toning Suite. You will need to be registered on our customer database to use our online booking facility. Currently you are unable to book for multiple people. If you wish to book for yourself and others please call the centre.

Bookings for the floodlit pitch, Badminton and Indoor 5-A-Side are unavailable online - please contact reception to book. 

Bookings can be made 8 days in advance for members and Zest Discount Card holders and 7 days in advance for non-members. 

Sessions can be cancelled online or via the Zest app up to 2 hours prior to the activity starting.

If it is within 2 hours of the activity starting, sessions must be cancelled by contacting Reception. If our Reception staff are busy with in-centre customers, please leave a voicemail.

Please note, when booking online you will be asked to enter your customer ID number - this is not your membership card number. If you are unsure of your customer ID number, please contact reception and they will provide it.

I want to book to swim as a family, how can I do this?

If you wish to book a session for yourself and others please call the leisure centre. Unfortunately, you are currently unable to book for multiple people online.

• Bedale: (01677) 427272
• Northallerton: (01609) 777070
• Stokesley: (01642) 711140

How do I register for online booking?

You can register for online bookings here:

• Register online

Can I book if I’m not a member?

You can book over the telephone. You can also book online if you are registered on our customer database. Please see the guidance above for details: ‘How do I register for online booking’.

Will you still take cash?

We will still be taking cash although we would like to keep cash handling to a minimum and advise contactless card payments and/or online payments where possible. 

Will showers, lockers, toilets and changing facilities be in use?

Dry-side showers and changing facilities will be available from 19 July 2021. Showers will be available on poolside for swim customers. Changing rooms and lockers will be available.

How will Learn2 Swim lessons operate?

Our full Learn2 Swim programme will restart from 19 July 2021. This will accommodate children from Stage 1 and above that were previously enrolled on the scheme. You will be contacted by leisure centres accordingly regarding lessons restarting. Relevant adjustments will be made so that the value of any monies owed due to the closure will be deducted from your first Direct Debit payment.

How will Learn2 Swim lessons work for those re-starting?

There may be changes to your usual swim teachers, day and/or time. We will endeavour to try to keep people at the same day/time where possible. You will be contacted shortly with confirmation.

When you do return to the centre the following User Guidance MUST be adhered to:-

• Do not come to the facility if you are showing any of the following symptoms of Covid-19: temperature, cough, difficulty breathing, or a loss of taste or smell.
• We still encourage swimmers to arrive with swimwear on underneath their clothing where possible to allow for quicker preparation time prior to lessons commencing.
• Use the readily available hand sanitiser/wash stations.
• Swimmers ability will be reassessed against relevant outcomes to establish their current level of performance
• If you require to speak with the teacher please complete a ‘talk to the teacher’ card or email the Centre.
• All junior swim lessons will be for a maximum of 30 minutes and Adults lessons 45 minutes.

If circumstances have now changed and you DO NOT wish to restart swimming lessons please notify your centre asap.

Do I need to wear a face mask when visiting the leisure centre?

We recommend the use of face masks/coverings in circulation spaces and spectating areas.  

Leisure Centre Contact Details:

Bedale: 01677 427272

Northallerton: 01609 777070

Stokesley: 01642 711140

We will continuously review our guidance to make any necessary changes. Information up to date at time of publishing (13/07/21).

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