We're pleased to confirm that Heworth Leisure Centre will reopen from Monday 13 September.

Normal gym opening hours will resume. However, pool operating times will be limited initially and a reduced programme of fitness classes will begin from 20 September. This is to ensure that we can continue to provide fair access to activities across the borough whilst operating all of our sites safely. 

Gyms

Also from Monday 13 September, gym users will no longer need to pre-book their sessions at any of our leisure centres. We know this will be a welcome change for many of our customers and offer a more flexible way to enjoy our facilities, but please remember that the pre-booking process was introduced to help keep everyone safe by limiting the number of users in the gym at one time. Please continue to respect others' space and wipe down equipment before and after use.

Pre-booking is still required for swimming, fitness classes and other activities.

Swimming pools

New pool timetables will also take effect from Monday 13 September to accommodate the return of school swimming programmes. As we are still facing staff availability issues, restricted opening hours will continue. The pools at Heworth Leisure Centre will be closed on Saturdays and Birtley Swimming Centre will be closed on Sundays as a temporary measure due to reduced lifeguard numbers.

Steam rooms and saunas will remain closed for the time being, as they present a high risk for Covid-19 transmission.

Blaydon Leisure Centre

Blaydon Leisure Centre is the last of our sites to remain closed, as it is currently being used as an NHS vaccination centre.

However, we're pleased to confirm that the vaccine programme will be relocating to a new site within the next few weeks and we are now working to reopen the gym from Monday 20 September. Swimming and fitness classes will return in early October.

Thank you

We appreciate your patience and understanding during the phased reopening of our facilities. Supporting our communities through the pandemic remains our first priority and although we can't rule out more temporary closures over the next few months to help us meet demand for Covid support and other essential council services, we're in the process of recruiting more leisure staff and we'll continue to review our programmes in line with staff availability and public health advice.