Frequently Asked Questions about the reopening of Glasgow's sport venues and facilities

Frequently Asked Questions about the reopening of
                 Glasgow’s sport venues and facilities
                            Updated Tuesday 25 August 2020

Why aren’t you reopening all sports facilities?
Like every charity, Glasgow Life has been hit hard by Covid-19. The complete shutdown of
Glasgow’s museums, libraries, community facilities, arts and sports venues for more than
three months, together with the cancellation of most of the city’s events and festivals this
year, means the millions of pounds of income which supports our services has been wiped
out.

We’re initially prioritising venues and facilities that support childcare and education to help
maintain vital services in local communities and to support the city’s recovery from the
impact of coronavirus in the longer-term. Reopening venues is a complex process and
requires careful planning. Current social distancing guidelines mean that a large proportion
of our venues are unable to reopen safely, and we may need more staff than before to be
working at the venues we’re looking to reopen to ensure current restrictions are followed.

Even if social distancing measures are relaxed in future phases of the government’s route-
map, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Glasgow Life is now facing the toughest financial
period in its history. Assessing the significant costs associated with adapting our venues to
meet social distancing requirements is something that we have to consider in the context of
the future sustainability of some of our facilities.

However, the fundamental criteria that will inform which venues and services can restart will
be the financial landscape that we will have to operate within for the foreseeable future
without the level of income that we previously generated.

When will you be reopening other sports facilities which aren’t on your published list?
Our financial and staffing constraints are unlike anything we’ve ever faced which means we
are not able to operate all of our venues and services just now; it is simply not possible.

We will continue to work with Glasgow City Council to review and prioritise which venues
and services we can restart or reopen and when, but it is highly unlikely that Glasgow Life
will be able to return to anything like its normal service provision in the near future.

Although Glasgow City Council has agreed to support us financially during this difficult
period, there are no easy solutions and we haven’t got all the answers about what Glasgow
Life’s service provision will look like during or after this transitional period.

We’ll continue to keep in touch with our members and customers as and when any decisions
on future service provision are made.

*NEW Why can’t you reopen all Glasgow Club venues on Monday 31 August?
As venues have been closed for several months, we have to plan their reopening in line with
the Scottish Government’s guidance. Adapting the venues that we are reopening to meet
social distancing requirements will take time and we have a responsibility to get it right from
the outset. We are also creating new operating practices which prioritise the health and
wellbeing of our staff and customers.

This means that we can’t just simply reopen our doors: we need to undertake risk
assessments, test key building systems, install public sanitizer stations and screens where
appropriate, deliver revised hygiene and safety training to our staff, implement new booking
systems, and engage with our trade unions.

Furthermore, Glasgow Life relies on various support services and staff, many of whom have
been unable to work during lockdown. Every effort has been made with limited resources to

overcome the challenges this presents. Complex reopening plans were amended earlier in
August as the government responded to the changing situation.

*NEW I enjoy classes/gym/swimming at Glasgow Club. What will it be like with Covid-
19 restrictions in place?
We’ll publish more detailed information on how things will work very soon but you can rest
assured we’ll be doing everything we can to make your experience a healthy, and enjoyable
one, whilst keeping you and our staff safe. Just some of the changes to how things will work
follow:

   •       Advance booking and payment using our mobile app or booking website will be
           essential for all activities
   •       We won’t allow access to anyone turning up ‘on-spec’
   •       For everyone’s safety you won’t be able to enter an activity if you arrive late
   •       Please wash your hands frequently. We encourage you to bring your own hand
           sanitiser
   •       Changing rooms will be unavailable so please arrive ready to take part
   •       You can bring your own yoga mat but please don’t bring bags or towels into
           studios and gyms
   •       There will be signage and staff present to help you maintain a safe distance from
           each other
   •       There will be additional staff and cleaning measures in place to keep everyone
           safe
   •       We need you to play your part so please use materials provided to clean
           equipment after use

What will happen with Glasgow Club memberships? None of the venues I use are
listed as reopening so I don’t want my membership automatically reinstated.
We pride ourselves on operating fairly and have made every effort to maintain that over the
past few months. We automatically froze memberships as soon as venues had to close, we
have been providing free access to activities online, and processing refunds for any advance
bookings.

We have no intention of collecting any direct debits without our members being able to make
a choice about when and whether it suits them.

If my closest venue isn't going to reopen or my favourite activity isn't going to run,
can I hold off reinstating my membership?
As above, we will not reinstate any memberships or collect any direct debits without allowing
our members to make a choice about when and whether they want to return to Glasgow
Club.

*NEW What if my membership is paid through my NHS salary?
The NHS buy your membership for a year at a time from us and recover the cost through
your salary. We’ll let them know if you choose to unfreeze your membership. We’ll also
extend the end date by the length of time it’s been frozen. At the end of the year that was
purchased for you by your employer you’ll have a period of time when nothing is deducted
from your salary for your membership. We’re happy to let you keep your membership frozen
if you’d prefer.

*NEW Will online classes continue when venues reopen?
Many of you have been telling us how much you enjoy online fitness and how important it
has been during lockdown. On 14 September we’ll launch a new way of accessing online
activities. This will be included in your venue membership when we’re able to let you restart
it. You can also choose a separate online membership if it’s not the right time for you to
come back in person, or your preferred venue isn’t open.

Will you be signing up new Glasgow Club members when you reopen?
No. When we first reopen, we will not process any new memberships in order to prioritise
our current members and ensure that customers who want to return to Glasgow Club are
able to do so.

*NEW What number do I phone to make bookings for when venues reopen?
With access to offices still restricted and our commitment to keeping staff and customers
safe firmly in mind, we’re asking all customers to make bookings and payment where
required on our mobile app or booking website. This will keep phone lines free for those with
no access to the internet or a mobile device.

*NEW When can I start making bookings?
Booking for gym sessions, classes, and pools will be required in advance and can be made
using our mobile app or booking website seven days before each activity starts.

*NEW What can I do to be ready to make bookings?
We’ll be in touch soon with the steps you can take to unfreeze membership but before then
you can log in to your online account (in our app or booking page). You may need to reset
your password if you’ve forgotten it. Once you are logged in you should check the contact
details are up to date. This is vital to helping us meet our obligations to everyone’s safety
through Test and Protect.

*NEW Can I play 5-a-sides and 7-a-sides?
Yes, this is permitted under government guidance from Monday 24 August, however we’re
working on reinstating bookings for clubs and teams who had regular lets before the venues
closed in March, and aren’t able to accept casual booking for the time being. This is currently
under review and we will let our customers know as soon as there are any changes to this
approach.

*NEW Can I play 11-a-sides?
At the moment, guidance from the Scottish Government does not permit 11-a-sides.
Protocols may change in line with Scottish Government and SFA guidelines, dependant on
the ongoing coronavirus status. We will continue to inform customers of any changes and we
would also ask that you continue to monitor the relevant page on the SFA website for any
updates.

*NEW Can I stay to watch my child at football training?
No. We ask that parents and guardians do not remain at the venue for youth club bookings.
When our Football Participation Programme returns, parents and guardians will be permitted
to stay with children under the age of eight.

*NEW I used to train indoors at Toryglen Regional Football Centre. Will I have the
chance to change this to outdoor training?
Yes. If you had an existing booking, our team will be in touch to let you know availability.

*NEW New pitch pricing was introduced on 2nd March 2020, will this still be
implemented?
Yes. We are continuing with these changes which focussed on reducing the price for youth
pitch prices and maintaining adult prices.

*NEW Local games are due to be coming back after 11 September, will we be able to
use changing facilities?
We continually review our facility operations and will look at how we can make more of our
facilities available at our venues in line with government guidance.

Will I need to wear a mask in venues?
Current public health and government guidance is that face coverings should be worn in
enclosed spaces where physical distancing is difficult and where there is a risk of close
contact with multiple people who are not members of your household.

Visitors attending sports venues will be required to wear face coverings in all indoor areas
except when participating in physical activities within our gyms and fitness studios. Visitors
who are covered by the Scottish Government’s exemptions list will not be required to wear a
face covering. Click here for more information regarding face covering exemptions.

Will a full timetable of fitness classes be available at my venue?
Upon reopening, venues will be operating at reduced capacity and we will be unable to offer
the full timetable of services and activities which were available pre-lockdown. Fitness class
timetables will be confirmed closer to the opening date of each venue, and these will be
visible in our app and on our website when available.

Will there be fewer people allowed in classes to ensure social distancing?
Yes – in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines and to make sure our members can
work out comfortably and safely, class numbers will be smaller.

Will class formats be changed to ensure social distancing?
Yes – we are working on ensuring our classes can still take place with members adhering to
social distancing guidelines. This will mean smaller class numbers, classes taking place in
different studios/halls, and longer breaks between classes to reduce queuing.

Will there be fewer classes to allow more time for cleaning after each class?
Yes – although we’ve invested in additional equipment and have new cleaning procedures in
place, members will be required to clean their own equipment after classes and this will
mean a longer turnaround time. Where possible, we’ll encourage customers to bring their
own equipment with them (for example, yoga mats).

Will I need to book a slot/time when going to the gym and will there be a limit on how
long I can be in the gym for?
Like every gym in the world, we know our facilities will operate differently and with reduced
capacity in the months ahead. We are looking at all the ways we can minimise the impact
this will have, including booking time slots to attend the gym and a time limit on how long you
can spend there and on each piece of equipment. We know this isn’t ideal for our members,
but it’s the only way we can ensure a fair approach for all.

Bookings will be made via our mobile app and booking website.

What cleaning procedures will you have in place in gyms?
Buildings are being cleaned prior to opening to the public and we will have regular cleaning
procedures in place which are appropriate to each venue. Our health and fitness team is
currently in the process of developing a clear and strict policy to ensure customers clean
their own equipment after use, leaving it prepared and safe for the next user. We will help
everyone stay safe by reminding customers to stick to this policy, as well as carrying out
regular cleaning of gym machines and equipment on top of a customer’s post-use wipe
down.

What will venue opening hours be?
We’re currently finalising what our hours will be in the venues which are reopening, and we’ll
communicate these to customers as soon as they’re confirmed.

Why are some venues with pools reopening the gym but not the pools?
Our financial and staffing constraints are unlike anything we’ve ever faced and mean we are
not able to operate all of our venues and services just now; it’s simply not possible.

Furthermore, some of our pools cannot open under current social distancing guidelines. We
will continue to work with Glasgow City Council to review and prioritise which venues and
services we can restart or reopen and when, but it’s highly unlikely that Glasgow Life will be
able to return to anything like its normal service provision in the near future.

Will hand sanitiser be available?

Yes – we will have several mitigating measures in place in our venues when they reopen to
minimise the spread of Covid-19. These will include physical distancing restrictions; booking
systems and reduced capacities; Perspex screens at reception areas; one-way walking
routes; the promotion of rigorous hand washing and the provision of hand sanitiser.

Will toilet facilities be available in reopened venues?
Yes – although, as with all areas in our facilities, social distancing measures will be in place.

Will locker and changing facilities be available?
We are unable to reinstate access to our lockers and changing facilities in line with the
current social distancing guidelines. We will keep this under review and inform customers if
anything changes.

When will my/my child’s swimming/gymnastics/football lessons start again?
During our first phase of reopening venues, current government guidelines do not allow us to
offer these types of activities. We are currently working on a plan to offer lessons again, but
we will be guided by the Scottish Government as to when they can be reintroduced. We will
be in touch with further information about how and when lessons will be re-introduced as
soon as we have more specific information.

Can I play doubles tennis with people who aren’t from my household?
Yes, according to new guidance from Tennis Scotland, the LTA, and Scottish Government.
All tennis bookings should continue to be made for outdoor courts at
https://myglasgow.club/outdoor and using the Glasgow Club app or booking page once
indoor courts are available.

When will Refresh Spa at Emirates Arena open?
At the moment, we are unable to reopen Refresh Spa at Emirates Arena when Emirates
Arena reopens. We know Refresh Spa is in high demand and we will reopen it to the public
as soon as we are able and it is safe to do so.

When will the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome reopen?
At the moment, we are unable to reopen the velodrome when Emirates Arena reopens. We
know this venue is in high demand and we will reopen it to the public as soon as we are able
and it is safe to do so.

Can I get access to my storage locker in the velodrome, even if the track isn’t open?
We know our regular track users are keen to get access to bikes in storage and, even if
riding isn’t possible, we are working on having arrangements in place to allow users to
remove equipment. We will be in touch with everyone who rents locker storage as soon as
we have more specific information.

How long will these measures be in place?
The current measures are in line with Scottish Government guidelines and will enable us to
accommodate and protect our staff and visitors. These measures may change as advice
from the Scottish Government is updated.

Where can I find out more information?
We will provide regular updates through Glasgow Sport and Glasgow Club Twitter and
Facebook social media channels as well as on the Glasgow Life website.

How can I make a donation to help support Glasgow Life?
As a charity, Glasgow Life is hugely grateful for the support it has received during the
coronavirus pandemic, which has helped us to continue vital work in communities across the
city during the most challenging of times. You can continue to help us by donating at
https://forms.glasgowlife.org.uk/Pages/donate.aspx.

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