Changing room confusion as Corby swimmers told to arrive 'beach ready' in their swimming costumes

Corby Council insist the changing rooms will be available at the town's international swimming pool when lessons start - although children have been asked to leave the building still in their swimwear.

The Aquatics Team who organise lessons had told parents to bring their children 'beach ready' in swim suits, goggles and hats, with children asked to towel dry and leave in their swimwear at the end.

A letter said: "We are delighted to announce swimming and diving lessons will resume from Saturday, August. 1 There will be some changes to the current format to ensure we comply with guidelines set by the government and Swim England. Some lessons will not resume at this time."

Some of the key changes to all lessons include: instructors delivering lessons from the poolside; all learners must be able to get in and out of the water without support; children must wear swim hats and instructors will be unable to help the children put them on; only one person can accompany a child to their lesson and due to limited spectator space, parents of children aged eight and above should leave the building during the lesson.

In a clarifying email sent to one parent, and shared with the Northants Telegraph, further information was given.

It said: "Children will exit the poolside after their lesson in to the pool changing rooms, we are asking for people to towel dry and put something warm over the top of the swimwear like a bath robe or a onesie and then exit the building.

"Changing cubicles will be very restricted but guidelines are changing all the time so may differ when children return in August."

Further clarification was given in another email.

It said: "There will be space in the changing rooms to towel dry the children and slip something like an all in one or joggers and t-shirt over the children’s swimwear to leave the building, hair should stay dry with the swim caps.

"There will be a video being uploaded onto our Facebook and website next week to show a walkthrough of the building and how everything will work as the spectating gallery also won’t be available.

"Guidance is changing daily while new documentation is released so this may change between now and the August 1 but this is the current situation."

In a statement in response to concerns raised by parents and put to Corby council, a spokesman for Corby Council Culture and Leisure said: "To continue to provide all the lessons offered and maintain the required social distancing in the changing rooms we are asking as many parents/children to do that if possible.

"When surveyed the responses received from parents/guardians were really positive in assisting CBC to recommence swimming lessons.

"The changing rooms will be available by anyone who wishes to use them.

"The opening of the Pool and maintaining the Government Guidelines are challenging. With the return of swimming lessons our programme of use is having to be radically changed with the safety of the public being paramount and our highest priority."

One parent of two child who have lessons said: "It's ridiculous, I'm going to have to take them home dripping wet straight from the poolside.

"A warm summer's evening might be OK, but when it's cold and raining they will surely be exposed to becoming unwell.

"I can't see my nine-year-old being that impressed either. He's already becoming body conscious."

Edwinda Stanger's two boys have diving lessons at Corby Pool but swimming lessons in at Kettering swimming pool

She said: "Corby Swimming Pool staff have been really lovely. At least they are opening up and letting us know, unlike Kettering.

"The boys are really excited about being able to do an activity again. I'm investing in towelling robes for them to wrap up in.

"Having to wait outside in the car rather than the swimming pool is slightly awkward but at least it's open."

Kairen Toman who has two children signed up to lessons is still shielding and consequently will not be sending them back to the pool meaning they will lose their places..

She said: "They’ve said that they can’t hold specific places open for me because I’m cancelling my diect debit as I won’t pay for something I’m not using.

"I asked about finding them a space when they’re ready to go back, as my concern is that years ago I had to wait nearly 18 months on a waiting list.

"I have been assured that they won’t have any waiting lists and it will just be a case of phoning and they will find a space at the right level on the right day.

"I’m not 100 per cent convinced about this though. I guess I’ll only know for sure once I feel they’re ready to go back. But when that time comes, if they tell me they can’t find them a space and I have to wait a long time, I’ll be extremely annoyed."

Other swimming pools have yet to give dates for restarting lessons.

Freedom Leisure the company that manages The Nene Centre in Thrapston and Rushden Splash Pool has yet to announce an opening date but will also be asking swimmers to be 'beach ready' to minimise the time spent in changing areas.

The Waendel Leisure Centre in Wellingborough has not published a date for reopening, nor has Kettering Swimming Pool with both pools freezing their places until they are able to reopen.

Montsaye Leisure Centre in Rothwell has yet to announce a restart date and Market Harborough Swimming Pool has asked customers, keen to return to the water to keep an eye on their social media for any update reopening.

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