Well, we’ve had the first positive news for a while on re-opening! From Monday 31st August, subject to no further virus spikes and SG intervention, we will be able to re-activate the fob system, and reopen the building, with the online booking system being used exclusively to reserve all areas of the club, as per earlier emails. The one grey area at the moment is our squash courts, for which there is little current guidance on the Scottish Squash website, (more promised by 31st August), and no direct mention by the SG of squash/racketball, only “indoor sports courts”. Squash and Racketball are supposedly non-contact sports, but many of us will look back on episodes in some of our previous games and wonder if that’s necessarily true!   I have asked the SG for clarification via their contact page. I’ve also progressed their answer to an earlier aircon question. In the meantime, can I again repeat the conditions under which we will need to operate for the foreseeable future to keep everyone safe. With certain limited exceptions, our area seems to have done pretty well in following SG guidelines, and we need to keep it that way. Any failure to follow the procedures we’ve had to put in place could lead to the closure of the club again – not a happy prospect. There are still a number of people who have not contacted me for registration on ClubSpark, so please mention this to your friends. Club rules will be: -

• You must have an active payment record – your fob and booking system access will NOT be activated unless this is in place.
• Entry to the building MUST only be made against a confirmed online booking. DO NOT JUST TURN UP ON SPEC TO USE THE FACILITIES.
• Do NOT go to the club if you exhibit or suspect you have any of the well-publicised Covid-19 symptoms.
• Use of the online booking system, plus club CCTV will allow contact tracing should it be necessary.
• Once we reopen the building, Tennis Court bookings will be made via the ClubSpark system, not the current text/email arrangement. The gate will be re-secured with a different padlock, with access via the main building.
• All previously published hygiene and sanitising measures must be strictly adhered to. There are Sanitising Stations throughout the building.
• Toilets will be open, subject to additional safety measures, (please follow the detailed instructions in each area), but changing rooms and showers will be closed off, so as indicated before, please arrive dressed ready for action, and shower at home.
• Both Gym and AR are divided into two bookable areas, with a selection of kit in each half. Transparent screens divide these areas. Aircon will be switched off, although we are seeking the latest advice on this, as opinion appears to be divided.
• AR1 contains Treadmill, Bike and Stepper; AR2 has Treadmill, Bike and Rowing Machine.
• Gym1 has Lat Pull Down, Cable Machine, Leg Extensions, Bench and Dumbbells; Gym2 has Leg Press, Bench Press, Squat Rack & Pull Ups, Dipping Bars, access to collect Dumbbells, if social distances maintained. Due to its central position, the Shoulder Press is unusable, and is taped off. DO NOT USE.
• In the last minutes of your session fully clean and re-sanitise the kit you have used, and exit the building in good time.
• Carefully wash your hands on reaching home