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Local covid-19 test centre to be piloted

Stoke-on-Trent City Council sent this bulletin at 12-09-2020 03:28 PM BST

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Local covid-19 test centre to be piloted

It has been announced that a pilot coronavirus testing centre is due to open at Fenton Manor Sports Complex for two days next week. It will run on Monday and Tuesday, September 14 and 15, between 9am and 1.55pm.

We want to reassure leisure centre customers that this will not affect their use of the site. Fenton Manor will remain open and both members and pay-as-you-go customers can still visit the building in a safe and covid-secure way.

Safety measures put in place include:

Alternative parking places for those using the testing centre. Customers can still park separately in the usual main leisure centre car park;
A separate entrance for those using the testing centre. This will be through a set of doors away from the main entrance. Customers will continue to use the usual main entrance at the front of the building;
A strict one-way system – with different routes for customers and those attending the testing centre. Leisure centre users will follow their usual route from the main car park, to the main entrance and through the one-way system to either the gym, exercise classes, or the swimming pool. This will mean that leisure centre users and testing centre users do not mix;
There will be signs to guide people and staff on hand to help;
Separate temporary toilet facilities are being created for those using the testing centre;
Tests will take place in an arena which is not currently being used for any sport and exercise activities;
A deep clean of the area used for testing will take place at the end of each day.

Increase in demand

The pilot testing centre is being created to respond to a continued increase in demand for these facilities across the city. It also follows an appeal by Councillor Abi Brown, the Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council to the Right Honourable Matt Hancock MP and Secretary of State for Health after a number of residents had been in touch about their inability to get a test locally. For more information about this and how to book, please visit stoke.gov.uk/news for the press release.

Gym/exercise sessions and memberships

Leisure centre members and pay-as-you go customers can book gym and exercise class sessions at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Dimensions Leisure Centre and The Wallace Sport and Education Centre. Morning, afternoon and evening lane-swimming sessions are also available at Fenton Manor.

During September, we are giving all members ‘global’ access, so they will be able to use any of the facilities available at Fenton Manor, Dimensions and The Wallace.

Membership fees are currently capped at £10 for September, with a view to membership packages returning to normal after a fuller range of facilities and services resume.

Please note, all activities must be pre-booked via the ActiveStoke app (download the Apple / iOS version here. Download the Android version here), via the online booking portal at stoke.gov.uk/leisure, or by calling one of the three leisure centres (details here).

Safety measures at leisure centres

A range of safety measures have been put in place for customers, including:

one-way systems;
strict guidelines;
increased cleaning;
social distancing;
cleaning materials for each customer to use on their workstations and equipment;
and restrictions on the number of pieces of equipment available.

Our sport and leisure teams have analysed specific guidance from national governing bodies and are working on plans to ensure we can open other facilities in a safe and controlled way.

Information

You can find information about leisure centre memberships, classes and more via the ActiveStoke app, stoke.gov.uk/leisure or by calling a centre. If you have any further questions about using the Fenton Manor site as a customer, please contact the team on 01782 233222.