We will open our facilities and services gradually to ensure a safe return for our customers and ensure we can implement government guidance as it becomes available.

As of 6 August 2020.

The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority. To keep you safe whilst using our facilities we have implemented a number of measures in line with government and industry guidance. Below are the generic measures which should be read alongside the specific user guidance for the activity you are attending.

NHS Test and Trace and Booking

To aid the NHS Test and Trace system all users who do not have an Alive Card will need to have an account on our system.  Anyone aged 16+ can register online before you attend here. Your personal details will be managed in line with our Privacy Policy which can be found on our website.

All activities except for swimming will need to book before you attend.  Once you have registered above or if you have an Alive Card you can activate your account for online bookings here.  Once you have activated your account you can book online here.  You can save this website link as a shortcut on your phone and it will appear like an app.

Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance of the activity.

Entry and Exit

Please give yourself a little extra time to enter facilities and familiarise yourself with routes and changes.

All reception areas will have social distancing for queues.

Please use the hand sanitiser when entering facilities.

Our reception areas will have sneeze screens to protect customers and staff.

Please use contactless payment methods where possible.

Lynnsport and Downham fast tracks will be in operation for fitness and classes members and you should ensure you maintain social distancing when using. There will be a separate queue for fast track at Lynnsport.

Whilst changing rooms will be available, space will be limited due to social distancing, so we encourage you to come ready and shower at home after where possible.

Some sites have new temporary exits to reduce footfall in reception areas. Please make yourself familiar with the exits at your site.

Hygiene

Please use the hand sanitiser when entering facilities.

Hand washing facilities are available and you should ensure hands are washed regularly.

Please do not use your own towels to wipe anything down, please use the paper towel and sanitising spray provided, and follow the signs and guidance to aid keeping areas sanitised.

Water bottle fillers will only be available to fitness users within the fitness areas. Please do not drink from water fountains, fitness users are welcome to fill bottles with water although we would recommend you bring your bottle full. Please ensure that you clean the touch button BEFORE and AFTER use. All other users should bring their water bottles ready filled.

You may see more regular cleaning by our staff and some of those staff and other front-line staff may be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and visors. Please do not worry if you see staff in PPE, these are purely precautionary measures to keep customers and staff safe.

A limited number of lockers will be available for essential use only so please plan to not use a locker if possible.

Social Distancing

Please follow the government social distancing guidelines when moving around and training in our facilities. You should maintain your distance from other customers and staff unless they live with you or are in your support bubble (single adult or single parents with children under 18 households partnered with another household).

Queues will be distanced following government advice.

Where possible equipment has been spaced apart or placed out of order to maintain social distancing guidance.

Please ensure you maintain social distancing in changing rooms and toilets.

As much as we would like to shake hands or high 5, we are unable to with current social distancing guidance in place. Please do not attempt this with staff or other customers.

PLEASE READ THE ADDITIONAL USER GUIDANCE FOR THE ACTIVITY YOU ARE ATTENDING

Opening

25 July 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe. In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

To aid social distancing, capacities within our fitness rooms have been reduced and a booking system implemented.  Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance of the session and are available every 30 minutes. Sessions have been limited to 1 hour to ensure all customers can access the facilities. You can arrive up to 30 mins late for your appointment, but your session must conclude within the hour.  For example, if your appointment is at 5pm, you can enter the facility up until 5.30pm but must leave by 6pm.

We will enforce our cancellation policy of 3 strikes and then a 7 day booking ban to ensure the booking system is implemented fairly for all customers.  Please see section 17 of our Terms and Conditions available here.

Please use the fast track where available to enter facilities for your booking.

Please collect a sanitising spray bottle on your way in.  Please spray and use the paper towel provided to clean down anything you touch e.g. lockers, fitness equipment, weights, mats.  When your workout is complete please clean down your spray bottle and return to the collection point.  Do not share bottles with other customers unless you are training together from the same home/support bubble.

If you have a programme card, please take this home with you and do not pass it to staff.

Where possible equipment has been spaced apart or placed out of order to maintain social distancing guidance and designated markers have been placed in free weight areas.

You should not be spotted or spot other people unless you live together, or you are in the same support bubble.

Where an instructor may be demonstrating an exercise please maintain social distancing from the instructor.

We are unable to offer health checks currently, but we can review your programme and offer fitness consultations to help you with your progress.

Due to reduced capacities in the fitness studio’s we have built in FREE access to our Athletics Track at Alive Lynnsport to those who have a fitness membership.  The track will be available to use during day light hours except for Where there are club bookings on Monday 6pm to 9pm, Tuesday 7pm to 9pm and Thursday 7pm to 10pm.

Opening

27 July 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Please book your classes online or via the app and classes members can use the fast tracks where available in facilities.  You will no longer need to collect tokens from reception at any of our sites.

Please collect a sanitising spray bottle on your way in.  Please spray and use the paper towel provided to clean down anything you touch e.g. lockers, fitness equipment, weights, mats.  When your workout is complete please clean down your spray bottle and return to the collection point.  Do not share bottles with other customers unless you are training together from the same home/support bubble.

Please do not use your own towels to wipe down equipment.

Some sites have changed the location of certain classes to provide more space for social distancing. Indoor Group Cycling has temporarily been relocated to the Table Tennis Centre near the group fitness studio at Lynnsport and the Sports Hall at Downham.  Some of our classes will take place outdoors or use other facilities such as sports halls at Lynnsport and Downham or the Barn at Lynnsport.  Please check the group fitness timetable on the website for the location of your class.

Please bring your own personal exercise mat for classes, this will be mandatory where it is required throughout the class, e.g.: Pilates, Yoga, Core Stability and Body Balance.

There will be a gap of at least 30 minutes between classes to clean and set-up for the next class.

Where an instructor may be demonstrating an exercise please maintain social distancing from the instructor.

To ensure we can maintain social distancing the group fitness programme has changed significantly with reduced capacities in classes.  All classes will now be for 45 minutes to allow facility cleaning and changeover between classes.

Due to the limited number of spaces in classes we encourage you not to book back to back classes to be considerate of others allowing everyone to access the fitness classes provided.

Some instructors may not be available due to shielding, isolation or furlough so classes may be adapted or changed at short notice, please support those instructors taking your class.

Opening

25 July 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

To enable social distancing our pools have reduced capacities which may mean queueing on a one in one out basis at peak times.  When pools reach capacity, we will operate a band system and swims will be limited to 1 hour to allow all customers to access the facilities.

The pool admission policy has been reviewed and children 11 years of age and under will need to be supervised by an adult in the Pool.

Whilst changing rooms will be available, space will be limited due to social distancing, so we encourage you to come ready with swimming attire under your clothes and shower at home before and after where possible.  If you require use of a changing room you may need to wait longer to enter the pool than those who come ready.

Baby changing mats will no longer be available to use at St James but the normal baby changing units will be available at all sites.

Due to social distancing we advise you not bring push chairs/buggies into sites as there will be limited space to accommodate.

In order to not interrupt the flow of customers, we will be lifting the requirement of removing shoes and socks prior to entering Changing Areas. If you can change into indoor shoes e.g. flip flops please feel free to do so as long as you do not hold up the queue.

Please do not drink from water fountains or fill your bottles – please bring your own water.

Social distancing must be maintained in the pools so please ensure you give enough space between yourself and the person in front.  Do not swim side by side and when passing other swimmers ensure you provide enough space to maintain social distancing.

Keep swimming as much as possible, if you need to rest please keep this to a minimum and face away from oncoming swimmers.

Our pool programmes have changed considerably to accommodate structured swim sessions and allow time for more thorough cleaning.  Please click here for pool timetables.

Oasis Toddler pool is open during the general session for one bubble at a time and for a maximum period of 10 minutes. Oasis main slide is open to the general public, normal rules apply and please ensure social distancing is adhered too by keeping within the 2 meter markers

Spectator areas will be closed in order to maintain social distancing.

Opening

17 August 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Swimming lessons will resume from the 17 August. Direct debits for swimming lessons will resume from the 1 September.

Due to programme changes your class time may have changed.  Please login to your Courses Pro account to see your session day and time.  You can do this here: https://alivewestnorfolk.courseprogress.co.uk/ If the new lesson time or day is not convenient please call your centre who will check for alternative availability.

If you do not feel ready for your child to start swimming lessons again we can cancel them from their session if you notify us by the 15 August 2020.  Unfortunately this would mean your child would lose their place in their class as classes will now be operating at smaller ratios and it would not be viable for us to hold open classes places.

Important information when attending lessons

Please only arrive 5 mins before classes.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGING FACILITIES.  Participants should attend swim ready (swim costume under clothes) Clothes will be removed poolside and placed in participants water proof bag.  At the end of the class participants should towel dry on poolside and put on warm clothes to return home.  Any children with additional needs should discuss with the Duty Person and changing can be made available in exceptional circumstances.  Changing will also be available for Adult and Baby and Adult and Child classes.  We are taking these steps inline with Swim England guidance due to the difficulty in maintaining social distancing within our changing villages.

One parent will be allowed to accompany swimmers aged 8 and under and will be seated poolside during the lesson.  If parents are comfortable their child can take themselves to the toilet and will follow instructions during the lesson it is not compulsory for parents to stay in the building so long as we have an up to date mobile phone number and parents can get to the centre promptly when called. Parents seated poolside should wear a face covering.  No other spectators will be admitted entry.  For those aged 9 and over, spectators are not permitted and children should be brought to the lesson no earlier than 5 minutes prior to the start of the lesson and should be collected promptly at the end of the lesson.  Please check your online account and ensure we have a current mobile phone number should we need to contact you during a lesson.

Participants should have a waterproof bag to put their towel, clothes and belongings in which will be kept on poolside during the lesson.

Teachers must teach from the side of the pool and as such it is now mandatory that participant’s attending Stage 1 and Stage 2 lessons have armbands or a flotation jacket.

Swimming 121 sessions will not be available until further notice.

Opening

17 August 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Gymnastics lessons will resume from the 17 August. Direct debits for gymnastics lessons will resume from the 1 September.

Due to programme changes your class time may have changed.  Please login to your Courses Pro account to see your session day and time.  You can do this here: https://alivewestnorfolk.courseprogress.co.uk/ If the new lesson time or day is not convenient please call reception on 01553 818001 to check for alternative availability.

If you do not feel ready for your child to start gymnastics lessons again we can cancel them from their session if you notify us by the 15th August 2020.  Unfortunately this would mean your child would lose their place in their class as classes will now be operating at smaller ratios and it would not be viable for us to hold open classes places.

Important information when attending lessons

Entry will be via the corridor Fire Exit, Athletics Track side of Lynnsport between the outdoor changing rooms and the fire exits leaving directly from the gymnastics hall. This will be clearly signposted.  One parent and child should wait at the entry point for a coach to open the door and register the attendance.  Everyone should maintain social distancing whilst waiting.

NO SPECTATORS – no spectators will be allowed in the building.  One parent should register child off no earlier than 5 mins prior to the class and then should return to pick child up promptly at the end of the session.  If a child has additional needs this can be discussed with the Head Coach/Assistant Head Coach and in exceptional circumstances one parent can stay with a child, seated within the gymnastics hall, or depending on the needs of the child, taking part in the session.

Pre-school classes and the 4 and 5 year old recreational classes, will require one parent to accompany the child and take part in the session.

Participants will need a bag with their name clearly printed on it (preferably drawstring – PE type bag) with shoes (sliders/clean trainers) and drink.

Participants to come with water bottles filled as bottle fillers will not be available.

On entry participants will be allocated one of four coloured zones where there will be racking for the storage of bags within the gym.

At the end of sessions parents should be in place 10 minutes before the end of the session, socially distanced outside the fire exits on the Athletics Track side of the gymnastics hall.  Please note it is the fire exits directly leaving the gym hall not the drop-off point closer to the outdoor changing rooms.  Sessions will begin to clear down 10 mins before the end of the class to clean down equipment, allow children to collect their items from their coloured zone and coaches to release children without congestion at the exits.  Parent should be ready to collect children 10 mins before the scheduled end time.

Toilets: Pre-school children and the 4 and 5 year old rec classes to be taken by the accompanying adult.  6/7/8 years old will be accompanied by a Coach to the disabled toilets at reception and the Coach will wait outside.  Any 6/7/8 who still need toilet support will require one parent to stay for the session following approval from the Head Coach/Assistant Head Coach.

Elite Gymnasts to bring their own Yoga mat, chalk and other personal training equipment if they have them.

Opening

25 July 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Update

Our sports halls will be open for single court bookings only.  As government guidance becomes clearer for team sports and other activities these will be reintroduced.

Where possible please bring your own equipment e.g. rackets, shuttles

Please do not share equipment and ensure any equipment you use has been sanitised.

Please do not use your own towels to wipe down equipment.

Please do not drink from water fountains or fill your bottles – please bring your own water.

There may be limited availability of the sports hall at certain times due to space for other activities being required for us to implement social distancing.

Only one court is to be booked for singles racket sports or doubles if playing with people from your household or support bubble.

Please only book courts for one hour to be considerate of other customers.

Clubs and sports other than racket sports will need to get approval from the Head of Development/Centre Manager with full risk assessment in place for activity to ensure it is compliant with current guidance.

Opening

TBC

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe. In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Update

We are awaiting guidance from England Bowls and until we can implement government guidance bowls will remain closed.

Bowls memberships will remain frozen until we can reopen.

Opening

25 July 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Please do not share equipment and ensure any equipment you use has been sanitised.

The capacity of KASET will be reduced to enable social distancing, please limit your ride to an hour at peak times to be courteous to others.

Please follow staff instructions at all times.  Failure to follow staff instructions will result in sanctions which may include a facility ban.

There will be no music events or skate nights whilst government guidance restrictions are in place.

Pool tables will remain closed at this current time.

Opening

15 August 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Update

A maximum of 6 people allowed in the Hanger at any one time.

 Social distancing should be maintained at all times.

Hand sanitiser should be used before and after climbs as it is not possible to clean holds between climbs.  Climbers advised to bring their own.

Opening

3 August 2020 for Clubs and Block Bookings

8 August 2020 for casual users

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Casual bookings must ensure:

No more than 20 people per third of the 3G/Multi-Use pitch including coaches/officials

Players bring their own hand sanitiser and sanitise hands before play and during any breaks.

Until 31 July competitive training can take place with group sizes including coaches not exceeding 30 people.

 From August competitive matches to begin with social distancing in place before and after matches and during any breaks.

 Please ensure the team on the pitch before your booking has exited the pitch before you enter.

Ball handling should be kept to a minimum with most contact via a boot and ball disinfected in breaks of play.

Youth football coaches are encouraged to limit persistent close proximity of participants during match play and training.

Goal celebrations should be avoided.

Equipment should not be shared, and goalkeepers should disinfect their gloves regularly in breaks.

If a team is playing on an adjacent pitch and their ball strays onto your pitch, please return the ball by kicking and not handling the ball.

If your ball strays on to another teams pitch please do not encroach their pitch and request they kick the ball back to you.

Ensure you finish 5 mins before then of your booking to clean down equipment and leave the pitch in a staggered manner so not to cause congestion at the exit gate.

Opening

25 July 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Clubs and Block Bookings will need to submit a risk assessment to demonstrate compliance with government approved NGB guidance.  These risk assessments must be approved by the Alive Head of Development/Centre Manager.

Please do not share equipment and ensure any equipment you use has been sanitised.

Please do not drink from water fountains or fill your bottles – please bring your own water.

Whilst using the track please maintain social distancing by giving people sufficient distance in front of you and between you and other users when passing.

Opening

8 August 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Clubs and Block Bookings will need to submit a risk assessment to demonstrate compliance with government approved NGB guidance.  These risk assessments must be approved by the Alive Head of Development/Centre Manager.

Please do not share equipment and ensure any equipment you use has been sanitised.

Please do not drink from water fountains or fill your bottles – please bring your own water.

As social distancing cannot be maintained, the normal game of squash should not be played by players from two or more households (except those from the same support bubble).

Where participants are not from the same household or support bubble, they should play an adapted version of squash called sides or socially distanced practices for advanced players (see below).

Only one person should touch the court door and ball.

Coached sessions can have up to 5 people with only 2 people on court at any time.

Only 2 people on court at any time to maintain social distancing.

Players must not touch walls.

Play should stop and restart play if in danger of breaching social distance or striking your opponent with the ball.

Protective eye-wear is strongly recommended for all players.

Rules for Playing Sides

Both players must keep to their side of the court.

If a player crosses into their opponent’s side, they forfeit the rally.

Players can use the full length of the court.

Only one player serves throughout the game.

Once a rally is complete, players switch sides and the server restarts play.

If in breach of a safe social distance, a let must be called.

The rules of squash/squash 57 apply

Socially Distanced Practices for More Advanced Players

Cross court volleys. Both players volley the ball cross court to each other from behind the service box. Switch sides. Make it co-operative: Aim for as many volleys in a row as possible. Switch sides and see if you can beat your previous total.

Straight to self then cross court volley. Stood behind the service box, both players play two shots, volley straight to self then cross court to your opponent. Switch sides.

Straight lob vs straight volley drop. Front player plays straight lobs and back player plays straight volley drops. Alternate and switch sides.

Boast vs straight drive. Front player plays straight drives. Back player boasts. Alternate. Make it competitive: front player can play straight or cross court, back player must always boast.  First to reach 7 points wins.

Drive or cross court drive vs boast or drop. Front player can play a straight or cross court drive. Back player can play a straight drop or boast. Alternate. Make it competitive: first to reach 7 points wins. Straight drop then straight drive vs straight to self then boast. Front player plays two shots, a

straight drop followed by a straight drive. Back player plays two shots, a straight drive followed by a boast. Alternate. Straight drop then cross court deep vs straight to self then boast. Front player plays two shots, a straight drop followed by any shot cross court deep. Back player plays two shots, a straight drive followed by a boast. Alternate and switch sides.

Front vs back on one side. Front player can play any straight shot deep. Back player can play a straight shot short. Alternate and switch sides.

Front vs back on both sides. Front player can play straight or cross court. Back player must always play straight shot short. Alternate. Make it competitive: front player can play straight or cross court deep, the back player must always play straight short. First to reach 7 points wins.

Opening

8 August 2020

Please read: What we are doing to keep you safe.  In addition, the information below is for this specific activity:

Clubs and Block Bookings will need to submit a risk assessment to demonstrate compliance with government approved NGB guidance.  These risk assessments must be approved by the Alive Head of Development/Centre Manager.

Please do not share equipment and ensure any equipment you use has been sanitised.

Please do not drink from water fountains or fill your bottles – please bring your own water.Players encouraged to bring their own equipment and should not share equipment.

Hands sanitised before play

Balls should be sanitised regularly

No breathing on the ball to clean

No touching the table

No handshakes/high fives

No spectators in hall

Individuals to train in bubbles of 2-6 people across 2-3 tables, with no more than 2 people per table at any time.

Players to clean their side of the table with the sanitizing spray and paper towel provided before finishing or rotating whilst maintaining social distance.

Doubles play is not permitted unless all participants are from the same household or support bubble.

Opening

TBC

Update

All of our instructor led activity programmes will be on hold until we can implement government guidance. These sessions include:

• Tumble Teds
• Womens Wednesday
• 50+ Sessions
• Bowls Roll up
• Climbing Club
• Ladies Badminton
• Football Player Development Centre
• Archery
• Roller Skating

Summer Holiday programme, birthday parties and schools sessions are also on hold until we receive and can safely implement the guidance.

GEAR 2020

Has been postponed to Sunday 2 May 2021

Hunstanton Bowls Tournament

Unfortunately the tournament will not go ahead this year and we aim to run again in 2021.

Rural Community Games

The Rural Community Games will not go ahead this year with a number of events already missed. A decision will be made in August regarding completion or adapting this event.

Downham Games

Unfortunately the Downham Games will not go ahead this year in its normal format. Virtual challenges have been set as an alternative. You can find more information on the Downham Games Facebook page.

Swimarathon

The Rotary Club hope to deliver the event again in Feb 2021 in line with government guidance. More information will be available nearer the time.

Gymnastics Displays and Competitions

Will not take place until safe to do so in line with government guidance

Memberships

Memberships will commence from 25 July when we reopen, and direct debit membership fees will start to be collected again from the 1 August 2020.

Annual or Paid in Full Memberships will be extended by the duration we have been closed.

If you do not feel ready to return or you are shielding/isolating you can freeze your membership for an initial 2 months.  Please email alive.card@alivewestnorfolk.co.uk to arrange by close of business Monday 27 April.

If you have a membership for an area which is currently closed we will continue to freeze your membership.

If you have a membership which includes an open area and a closed area e.g. Fitness and Drop-in Activities your membership will start again on the 25 July with next direct debit payment on the 1 August 2020.  Should you wish to change your activities to open activities email alive.card@alivewestnorfolk.co.uk to arrange.

If you have emailed us about your membership please allow 3 working days for us to deal with your enquiry and get back to you.

Sports Lessons – Swimming/Gymnastics

We stopped delivering lessons on the 17 March 2020 and we promised to make right for our customers with fees paid for the full month.  Swimming Lessons and Recreational Gymnastics we hope to be able to resume on the 17 August 2020 with first direct debit payment due on the 1 September 2020.

Lessons may have reduced capacities and we may need to change your class day and time.  We will send an email to sports lessons customer by the 7 August 2020.  You will be advised to log into your online Course Pro account to view your lesson day and time.  If the day and time are not convenient you are advised to call your site to check alternative availability.

If you are not ready to return you can cancel your place in the class.  Unfortunately due to reduced class sizes it is not viable for us to hold places open.

We are looking forward to welcoming our clubs and bookings back as soon as possible but we must do this safely in line with government guidance.

The government guidance issued on the 9 July 2020 states National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) of Sport must have their guidance approved by the government.  NGB’s are working through this process and approved guidance is expected in the coming weeks.  Once this is available, clubs will need to produce a risk assessment which demonstrates how they will comply with the guidance which must be approved by the Alive Head of Development/Centre Manager.  We are happy to support you and advise on this.

We are aiming for the majority of clubs to return in August but if we can get documentation and processes in place earlier some clubs may be able to return as soon as we are satisfied it is safe to do so.

We will be contacting all clubs and block bookings to discuss your individual needs and look at your plans to return.

Please find our COVID-19 secure plan here