SWINDON'S leisure centres will throw open their doors for the first time in months on Monday.

And the biggest – the Link Centre – will welcome customers to its famous ice rink for the first time in more than a year.

The government has given the go-ahead for leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools to reopen from April 12 as long as social distancing and other restrictions are in place.

GLL – the leisure operator which runs the Link, the Health Hydro, Croft Sports Centre, Delta Tennis Centre and facilities at Haydon Wick and Dorcan – says all six will open in some capacity. But group exercise classes for adults will not be allowed until the next step of the roadmap in May. 

Partnership manager for Swindon Josh Roper said: “It will be great to see people back through those doors. We’re really looking forward to it.”

“We’re still staying with our staggered entry system where we let six people in every 10 minutes because it will help us remain social distancing and keep touchpoints clean and so we don’t have a 30-person queue. It will make it much smoother and we can actually interact with customers.”

The ice rink has been closed to the public since the country first went into lockdown last March. It will host junior sessions only to begin with. The trampoline park will not be opening until May. 

Dryside changing rooms will be available.

Mr Roper revealed a £400,000 refurbishment at Dorcan Recreation Complex is also underway. 

Work started three weeks ago with the reception, gym and changing rooms all being transformed. 

Some outdoor activities will be available at Dorcan from April 12, with the remaining facilities expected to open next month.

Mr Roper added: “It was meant to be started around 18 months ago but due to Covid it didn’t happen.”

“It will help the local community and school (Dorcan Academy), which is right next door, with their PE lessons. 

"We haven’t offered it before so it’s a welcome development for Dorcan.”

The Link Centre has been offering at-home exercise classes so people can still work on their fitness and wellbeing. 

Customers are asked to turn up gym and swim-ready, with booking available on the app or online.