Swimmers, gym users back in action at Beau Sejour
IT SMELLS like a hospital – and there are nearly as many metal barriers as at Disney World – but the beating heart of island fitness has been welcoming back swimmers and gym users.
Beau Sejour Leisure Centre reopened its doors on Tuesday as the island emerges slowly out of lockdown.
Swimmers like Esther Iseppi were delighted to be aquatic again after weeks of being on land.
‘It’s heaven, absolutely fabulous. I was nearly close to seeing a psychiatrist. I was able to make it through, but it was really tough.
‘I did train but there is no substitute for swimming – if you’re a swimmer you’re screwed when you can’t swim.
‘Swimming is a unique way of using the body, it’s healthy, it’s non-static, you can’t get hurt, you can swim up until the very end. It’s hard to bike if you’re very old, but you can swim and I think it’s the best thing you can do.’
The most important thing for customers to know is that all swim and gym sessions have to be pre-booked over the internet or telephone, and there is a maximum of 16 users allowed in the gym at any one time, and 18 in the pool.
If you turn up on spec without a booking, then you will be turned away.
Also customers are asked to wear face coverings, except obviously when in the pool, or when doing strenuous activity.
There are separate entrances for the leisure centre and the vaccination centre.
Leisure centre users go through the manual front doors, and people with vaccination appointments go through the electric doors.
Even the parking is segregated.
Inside there are one-way systems and lots of floor markings.
Some of the machines in the gym have hazard tape around them so that everyone is well spaced out.
The pool is divided into three lanes – fast, medium and slow – and there are single tables dotted around the pool edge where swimmers can leave their bags because the changing rooms are closed.
Despite the restrictions, customers were pleasantly surprised that it all worked and that staff had managed to pull it off so well.
Duty manager Danny Le Page explained that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
‘Here at Beau Sejour we like to think we always find a way. Whether it’s business as usual, or operating in these conditions through stage two, we’ll endeavour to make sure everyone has the best experience possible as always.
‘Everyone seems to really appreciate what we’re trying to provide.
‘They understand that we’re in stage two so we’re governed by strict guidelines, so everyone’s been great.
‘They’ve embraced it, and everyone’s done as we’ve asked them to do with regards to face masks, sanitiser, the changing on pool-side, everyone is happy to do it.
‘All the staff were really excited to get back to seeing the members of the public again and offer the services that we enjoy providing.
‘The pool and the gym are always the most popular areas of the building, so we knew it wouldn’t be long before we had people chomping at the bit to get going.’
