Dear Sevenoaks Customers,
I would like to start this update to apologise for the disruption of services you have all been experiencing at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre. I think it’s beneficial for us to share with you what has been happening behind the scenes so you can understand that we are all working extremely hard to keep the centre operational but at times we have no option but to reduce services or remove sessions in order to comply with Health & Safety.
You may have read in the news that the leisure industry has been hit extremely hard by covid and as a result, we have lost staff and recruitment has not been easy as courses have not run during lockdown so there is a shortage of life guards within the industry. We have multiple vacancies across the organisation, this impacts on the services we are able to offer. We have been utilising staff from White Oak Leisure Centre to aid us so we can provide a service to you. We have had to increase the pay for these staff members as this is not their normal place of work. Myself and other staff are picking up additional shifts in order to support each other and provide a service to our members but I have to make sure we have sufficient staff levels to comply with our Operational Health & Safety requirements.
As the centre manager I have put out job vacancies for life guards and have been working with external organisations (Loan a Life Guard) to get staff, unfortunately, both of these avenues have not been successful but I will continue to work towards a long term solution to this problem.
I review the rotas daily and move staff so we can provide the best offering possible but at times we have had staff inform us that they are unable to attend the workplace, this is due to sickness or if they have been informed to isolate. We understand that this can be very frustrating to all parties concerned but we need to think of our staff & customers safety and wellbeing. I would ask for your patience and understanding when speaking with staff as this may not be their site or working additional shifts to support the centre.
I have managed to sort staff to allow us to open as follows for the remainder of the week:
Thursday 9th December 2021
Main pool will open as per timetable
The teaching pool will be open from 09:30-10:30 only
Friday 10th December 2021:
The main pool will open in session throughout the day
06:30-07:30 Fitness Swimming
07:45-08:45 Fitness Swimming
09:00-10:00 Fitness Swimming
10:15-11:30 Fitness Swimming
11:30-12:15 Aqua
13:30-14:30 Primetime Swim
16:00 - 18:00 Lessons
21:00-22:00pm Fitness Swim
The teaching pool will be closed all day to public, swimming lessons will run from 4-6pm.
Saturday 11th December 2021:
The main pool will open in session throughout the day
07:30-08:45 ½ Pool Fitness Swim
09:30 -11:30 ½ Pool Fitness Swim
12:00-13:00 Public whole pool
13:30-16:00pm ½ Pool Fitness Swim and ½ Pool Public Swim
Teaching pool open 11am-2pm
Sunday 12th December 2021
The main pool will open in session throughout the day
07:30-08:15 Fitness Swim
10:45-11:45 Fitness Swim
12:00-13:00 Public Swim
13:15-15:15 ½ Pool Lane Swim & ½ Pool Public
The teaching pool will open in sessions:
8:30-11:30
12:00-14:00
Monday 13th December 2021 the Pool will be closed for essential maintenance works. The pre works have already started and we are on track as per the schedule and will update you all as the works progress. We will be open on the 2nd January and will confirm the pool programme nearer the time. The new term time pool programme will start from Monday 3rd January 2022. This will all be shared via social media, and please do visit sencio.org.uk/sevenoaks/swim for updates and the latest pool programmes.
Karren Halil
Centre Manager
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre
