Coronavirus Update (Covid-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 13th July 2020: Plans to open leisure centres across Wyre

Wyre Council has been working with Sport England and Leisure Consultants KKP to look at the best way to safely reopen leisure centres in the borough. Plans are now being put in place to reopen all YMCA leisure centre sites in Wyre for gym use and fitness classes.

Following the Government’s announcement on Thursday night that gyms can reopen later this month, Fylde Coast YMCA will be reopening centres in Thornton, Garstang, Fleetwood and Poulton for gym access and fitness classes.

The gyms at Thornton and Garstang will reopen on 25 July with classes at these centres starting on 27 July. The gyms at Fleetwood and Poulton will reopen on 3 August followed by classes from 5 August.

Swimming pools and other services are not reopening at this stage, however this will be kept under constant review. As well as safety concerns, having to limit numbers of swimmers due to social distancing and the practicalities of limited changing room space, it has been decided that pools and further activities will reopen when viable.

Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community at Wyre Council comments, “Since our first announcement regarding leisure centres reopening, we have been working with Sport England and industry experts to review plans to reopen. Together we have looked at the best way to provide opportunities for people to access facilities in all areas of the borough, in a way that makes sense financially and from a safety point of view. This phased approach means that we can now safely open more centres.

“We want to enable as many people as possible to be able to safely access the fitness suites and exercise classes. By re-opening all four Wyre sites, more of our residents will be able to be more active, more often with all the health benefits that that brings. We are hoping that members and non members will support the leisure centres as they start to reopen, so that we can gradually look at re-opening further facilities within each one. This approach gives us a safe, controlled and supervised health and fitness offer so that we can gradually re-build use of our facilities. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers back.”

Leisure centres across the country have been closed during the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, leisure centres are facing unprecedented financial and operational impacts. The council has been working with the YMCA to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and support a sustainable future for the leisure centres by committing, in principle, to fund over £630,000 of costs in 2020/21.

John Cronin, CEO at Fylde Coast YMCA comments, “The YMCA will comply with all safety conditions issued by government to ensure all our visitors are safe. We will keep reviewing our services to reopen more activities as soon as it becomes viable to do so.

“I would like to thank Wyre Council for their support to enable us to continue to deliver this community provision in difficult times and serve the residents of Wyre.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 26th June 2020: We are Ready to Welcome You Back

We are confident that our centres are ready to open safely

We hope that you, your family, and friends have managed to stay safe and well during such times and we continue to thank you for your kind messages of support.

Like many, we were eagerly anticipating some good news from the Government that would have allowed us to re-open of our centres on 4^th July. Unfortunately, it looks like we will have to wait a little longer.

As mentioned in recent updates, we have been doing lots of work in the background to ensure we can re-open safely when advised to do so. As soon as we receive confirmation about re-opening dates, we will be in touch. In the meantime you can still see our updates here

We are working with our national partners at UKActive and Swim England as part of the ‘Fit Together’ initiative to ensure our YMCA leisure facilities are a safe place to visit. When you return you will notice your centre may look a little different, but you will still get everything you need for a great workout.

REMEMBER:  Your membership is frozen at the moment and no payments are being taken

Whilst the finer details are still to be finalised, here are some of the changes you can expect to see in our gyms, classes and pool halls:

KEEPING A SAFE DISTANCE

We have created the space you need to exercise and swim while keeping a safe distance

The gym and class spaces have also been rearranged across the centres and clearly marked out for you to use safely and for added piece of mind, whilst pool halls will also have markings. We will also be controlling numbers in the gyms, pool halls and classes, so it never gets too busy.

HAND SANITISING STATIONS & SELF-CLEANING STATIONS

There will be hand sanitising stations around the centres so it will be easy to keep your hands sanitised during your visit. We have numerous self-cleaning stations so you can clean your equipment before and after use. Cleaning stations are located in all areas

EXTENSIVE AND FREQUENT CLEANING

We will be increasing our cleaning frequencies throughout the day from dumbbells to step mills, especially between gym, class and pool times. We will be undertaking deep cleans in the evenings with specialist equipment and virucidal disinfectant, so you can work out with confidence.

CONTACTLESS ENTRY

Contactless entry with your key fobs to make your visit safer and easier with our scanners installed in all of our centres.

PROTECTIVE SCREENS

We have installed protective screens on our reception desks to protect you and our staff for extra reassurance

Y:ACTIVE APP

We are currently looking into developing our app to help you plan your visit by checking the number of people in the gym, classes and pools.

STAFF TRAINING AND EXPERTISE

All staff will be fully trained on our new cleaning and safety measures to ensure these are delivered to the highest standard.

CODE OF CONDUCT

It goes without saying that we must work together to ensure everyone’s safety. Therefore, you will notice a member & user code of conduct for gym, swim & class use. These will be displayed around the centres to remind everyone of the areas where we need to help each other out.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 4th June 2020: A message from our CEO John Cronin

Firstly, we hope that you, your family and friends continue to remain safe and well! As COVID-19 continues, we wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your ongoing support and understanding during this unusual time.

Whilst we eagerly await the Government’s decision on an appropriate time to reopen, we are busying ourselves in preparation. This involves us working with local and national partners as well as  colleagues to put in place new and enhanced measures that will ensure we provide a safe environment for members post lockdown.

Like many UK businesses and charities who are planning for the future, we find ourselves in times where the current pandemic is having a significant impact on our work and how we operate. We are constantly evaluating the situation as it develops to ensure the organisation remains viable for the future. As you might be aware we are currently in a proposal and consultation stage with our partners and colleagues regarding how facilities will reopen post lockdown.

You may have seen the proposals for reopening the leisure centres in Wyre in the press, even though a final decision has yet to be taken on this matter. I am afraid that this was inevitable, but it is important for me to reiterate that these proposals will not be ratified until the staff consultation process has been completed. I know that you will be aware consultation periods carry numerous potential outcomes, one of which could mean redundancy proposals for some of our valued work colleagues. I am sure you appreciate the sensitive nature of this situation and therefore understand why we have had to communicate with our partners and colleagues initially before communicating anything to you, our members.

As part of this consultation process we now need your help which you can provide by completing our short 4 minute survey by clicking here. This survey will assist us to gain a clear understanding about how you are generally feeling in terms of returning to our centres post lockdown. The results are completely anonymous and would be very helpful to ensure we can make fully informed decisions when re-opening centres and to ensure you feel safe and secure to continue your health and fitness journey with the YMCA. You can rest assured the safety of all our customers and colleagues is our top priority.

We are still here for you and if you need to contact us, please use this website or email enquiries@fyldecoastymca.org. Please be aware that we are operating with limited resources at present as with most charities across the UK.

I can assure you that you’ll be the first to hear when we have been given the green light to reopen and we will of course keep you informed in regard to any updates, what measures have been put in place and to confirm any alterations that may arise as a result of the outbreak. I look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

Best wishes

John Cronin – CEO YMCA Fylde Coast

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 27th May 2020

Proposals are being developed to reopen Thornton and Garstang leisure centres, once government guidance allows, thanks to additional funding by Wyre Council.

Leisure centres across the country have been closed during the Coronavirus pandemic. Government has not yet indicated when they may safely open again. As a result, this crisis is having an unprecedented financial and operational impact on the centres, which will inevitably affect the future operation of the facilities in Wyre. The council has been working with the YMCA to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and support a sustainable future for the leisure centres by committing, in principle, to fund over £630,000 of costs in 2020/21. This additional funding will allow the YMCA to initially reopen leisure centres in Thornton and Garstang, once government guidance allows.

The proposals outline plans to have a phased re-opening with facilities at Thornton and Garstang opening as soon as practically possible. The Fleetwood and Poulton facilities will remain closed for now but this will be kept under review.

John Cronin, CEO at YMCA Fylde Coast comments, “We have worked closely with Wyre Council to put proposals together that will allow us to reopen the centres in a way that is viable for the foreseeable future. If approved, these proposals would mean that YMCA staff will be impacted, so we are working hard to ensure we safeguard as many jobs as possible.

“Moving forward customer safety will be paramount and is something we are taking extremely seriously. Enhanced cleaning provisions and strict social distancing measures will be in place at the centres once they reopen and of course government guidance will be followed at all times.

“All membership fees will remain frozen during this period and once a decision has been made regarding the reopening of facilities, we will be contacting members regarding their membership options.”

Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community at Wyre Council comments, “To facilitate the reopening of these centres, the council has made a considerable financial commitment and we hope that the community will continue to support the leisure centres when they are able to reopen.  

“In reopening the Thornton and Garstang centres both our urban and rural populations would have access to facilities without having to travel too far. We look forward to welcoming customers once again.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 12th May 2020: YMCA Fylde Coast Health and Fitness Centres Remain Temporarily Closed

First of all, we hope that you, your family and friends have managed to stay safe and well during such unprecedented times! Thank you to you all for your continued support, we are truly grateful

It has been a difficult and worrying time for us all and after recent government announcements we remain temporarily closed with an extended lockdown for the Leisure industry until at least July 2020, of which you are probably aware.

Don’t forget,

• All annual/paid upfront memberships will be credited with additional days added to their membership to account for the closure period. Members do not have any action to take as we will do this on your behalf.
• All current direct debit memberships held with us (including Fylde Sharks and Y:Youth) were frozen from 20^th March 2020 for the duration of our closure, with no money taken from members during this time. Members do not have any action to take as we will do this on your behalf. So, you do not need to cancel

Whilst we have been closed, we have been working together with our partners on proposed strategies that will assist us all in keeping safe when we are able to re-open again. We understand that the government will still have measures in place in terms of social distancing. So, we will continue with the measures we put in place before lockdown and are currently working to introduce new measures.

We will of course keep you informed in regard to any updates, what measures have been put in place and to confirm any alterations that may arise as a result of the outbreak. You can rest assured we have the safety of all our customers and staff as our first priority. We are still here for you and if you need to contact us, please use this website or email enquiries@fyldecoastymca.org. Please be aware that we are operating with limited resources at present as with most charities across the UK.

There are still a number of free workouts for everyone available for you to continue on your health and fitness journey whilst remaining safe at home. These are available through our website, social media and member app including exclusive access and member discounts to Les Mills on Demand.

Les Mills on Demand – Exclusive access and discounts to over 800+ online workouts – https://www.lesmillsondemand.com/en_uk/uk_affiliate_offer/

YMCA at Home – https://www.ymcahome.ca/

YMCA360 – https://ymca360.org/

Work Out at Home Resources for Teenagers – https://lancashireschoolgames.co.uk/resources-for-teenagers-secondary-schools/

Not only this but our dedicated team of PTs, class instructors and gym instructors have been volunteering their time to keep you active whilst at home. Follow us on our social media channels for information and get access to more free workouts:

https://www.facebook.com/FCYMCA/

https://www.twitter.com/FCYMCA/

https://www.instagram.com/fyldecoastymca/

On behalf of the YMCA, we wish that you, your family and your friends stay safe in such times.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 15th April 2020: An Easter message from our CEO John Cronin

I would like to take this opportunity to send you my very best during this Easter period and hope you enjoyed the Easter weekend! I know these are unprecedented times for you, but I would like to extend my thanks for your continued support and hope you manage to enjoy this holiday period, whilst following the guidelines to stay safe at home during this time.

The Easter period is so often a time of reflection when we look at ourselves, our family and our surroundings and take a moment to feel blessed. However, this Easter the world around us feels somewhat different. Many of us will be distanced from our families, isolated from friends and those we hold dear.

The Easter period is one that is so often associated with coming together. It is a focal point in our calendars and something to look forward to. Undoubtedly it will not be the same this year but there are reasons to celebrate and smile. With that in mind, I wanted to express how exceptionally proud I have been of YMCA Fylde Coast and how we have come together under such unrelenting pressure and rather than turning inwards, we have opened ourselves up to offer support to one another and to ask for it as well.

We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and warmth coming in from our YMCA communities. These have provided a great boost to our team here, many of whom are still working or volunteering to support our services and helping to reduce the burden on other frontline services such as our fantastic NHS whom we have worked alongside on many projects. I know there will be a number of you who will either work for the NHS or know somebody that does. On behalf of YMCA Fylde Coast, thank you!

75% of our YMCA buildings have now been closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, except for our housing units and supported accommodation for homeless young people. We have opened some of our sports halls to be used as community hubs with many local volunteers, including staff members to assist with the Wyre and Fylde Together initiatives provided by our local authorities. These hubs are the distribution points for vital food and medicinal supplies to those in our communities most in need. I would like to send my personal thanks to our YMCA Fylde Coast members who have volunteered to assist in this vital service. We have been touched by the enthusiasm and sense of goodwill shown by these additional volunteers.

Our work stretches across every aspect of the community and throughout people’s lives. Whether it be the physical activity and leisure centre activities we deliver, the outdoor education opportunities we offer at YMCA Lakeside or the health and wellbeing services we deliver to young people and vulnerable at YMCA Lancaster. Our YMCA supports our communities, every hour of every day, through the good times and the bad.

We understand that our frontline work is currently disrupted by the outbreak. It is affecting those people who come and go from our services as well as those individuals who depend on it as a lifeline and place to call home. With our Housing Team continuing to work and provide support to some of the most vulnerable young people, we are working hard to keep this support operational. Not least, ensuring that our staff and volunteers are safe whilst at work. My heartfelt thanks go out to all our frontline staff and volunteers.

As you know we have frozen our memberships to assist you in this difficult period and I would like to remind you that you have no action to take and do not need to cancel any direct debit subscriptions. Thank you again for your continued support.

Please follow the advice by staying at home and making full use of the FREE home workouts that you can access with us and our teams. Our mission is to ensure that our communities remain stronger together and active during these times. The workouts below are also available via the app:

YMCA at Home – https://www.ymcahome.ca/

Your Virtual YMCA (YMCA360)- https://ymca360.org/

Les Mills on Demand with YMCA – https://watch.lesmillsondemand.com/at-home-workouts

As a country, we are facing an historic crisis and YMCA Fylde Coast has considerable experience in being there when times are tough. Our work during both the first and second World Wars, supporting troops on the frontlines and their families back home, is a testament to our commitment and something which still holds true to this the day and underpins our values as an organisation.

While financially we will be tested and emotionally may become weary, our resolve will not weaken. We are happy to be at the heart of the communities we serve.

Our YMCA has been in our communities since 1922 and we fully intend to be here to celebrate our next 100 years.
From my family at work and at home, I want to wish you and yours the most blessed Easter. Thank you for your continued support.

Stay safe and well.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 20th March 2020: YMCA Fylde Coast Health and Fitness Centres Closure

Following the announcement from the Government this evening, all YMCA Fylde Coast Health and Fitness Centres will be closed to the public from the evening of 20^th March 2020.

The centres will be closed for the foreseeable future and further communications will be issued in due course. During our period of closure:

• All annual/paid upfront memberships will be credited with additional days added to their membership to account for the closure period. Members do not have any action to take as we will do this on your behalf.
• All current direct debit memberships held with us (including Fylde Sharks and Y:Youth) will be frozen from 20^th March 2020 for the duration of our closure, with no money taken from members during this time. Members do not have any action to take as we will do this on your behalf. So, you do not need to cancel

We want to help you keep active at home during our period of closure and we want you to continue on your wellbeing journey to stay healthy in Mind, Body and Spirit. With this in mind, some of our instructors and fitness teams have worked hard to produce some bespoke workouts that we will post on our social media soon.

Our partners at Les Mills and YMCA 360 in the USA have provided us with some FREE home workouts. We will place these soon on our app for you to access. These workouts are available to everyone, not just our members. Please help to encourage everyone to continue to find activity during these uncertain times:

We continue to face unprecedented times and throughout the COVID-19 outbreak we have been trying to ensure we make sure our communities are supported in Mind, Body and Spirit in order to keep active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We have been humbled to see the communities’ response and would like to show our appreciation to our staff, members and customers who have continued to work tirelessly to ensure we abide by the guidelines set out by government, PHE and the NHS in regard to the outbreak. We thank you for your patience, dedication and continued support

We urge anyone with specific concerns and questions to contact us by email at the following address enquiries@fyldecoastymca.org

Look after yourselves and each other as we will continue to help in our communities in any way we can. Yours in Mind, Body and Spirit #strongertogether

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 18th March 2020

YMCA Fylde Coast is currently open. This will be reviewed daily.

The health and safety of our communities, visitors and staff is absolutely paramount to us. We are closely monitoring official guidelines from Public Health England, The World Health Organisation, local authorities and the government regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).

We are continuing to do our very best to ensure our facilities are a safe place for you to exercise.

• We are rigorously cleaning our facilities throughout the day to ensure they are as clean as possible
• We are ensuring even more hand sanitizer is available throughout all centres with even more signage to encourage cleanliness
• We encourage visitors to wipe down all equipment before and after use with antibacterial spray and throw away towels provided
• We encourage visitors to bring their own towels and place them on equipment whilst using
• We encourage visitors to wash their hands with hot water and soap for 20 seconds and dry hands fully when arriving and leaving centres

As this pandemic develops, we will continue to monitor and adapt to the situation daily.

Emergency protocols are in place and we are working with our partners across Lancashire and Cumbria to keep updated and to ensure our communities we serve remain informed as the situation develops.

In the midst of uncertain times, we encourage visitors and society as a whole to remain active and continue to exercise. Exercise is vital for physical health and mental wellbeing. It is proven to boost your immune system, help lower stress and offers a form of escapism.

If you experience any of the coronavirus symptoms below we urge you to stay at home.

Coronavirus symptoms

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

Together we can get through this, #Strongertogether.

YMCA Fylde Coast

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 17th March 2020

Further to our latest update yesterday (please see below) we are extending our option to freeze your membership from 7 days to 14 days.

As advised, you should stay at home for a period of 14 days if you or any of your household have any coronavirus symptoms. If you are a YMCA Fylde Coast member, showing any symptoms and have/choose to self-isolate for the recommended 14 day period, we will be happy to freeze your membership and give you that 14 day period back. Please phone your nearest YMCA Health and Fitness Centre to arrange it with them if you feel this will assist you. Contact numbers can be found here #StrongerTogether

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 16th March 2020

Further to our update on Friday 13th March regarding Coronavirus (COVID – 19), as advised, you should stay at home for a period of 7 days if you have any coronavirus symptoms. If you are a YMCA Fylde Coast member, showing any symptoms and choose to self-isolate for the recommended 7 day period, we will be happy to freeze your membership and give you that 7 day period back. Please phone your nearest YMCA Health and Fitness Centre to arrange it with them if you feel this will assist you. Contact numbers can be found here #StrongerTogether

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Update 13th March 2020