We have been working hard on plans to reopen our leisure centres. We are pleased to announce that Reading Sport and Leisure (RSL) centres at Meadway Sports Centre, Palmer Park Sports Stadium and South Reading Leisure Centre, will reopen from Monday 3rd August.
It will be a phased reopening with the safety of the public and our staff as a top priority. We will be closely following the national guidance and governing body safety recommendations, including measures such as enhanced cleaning schedule at all centres and staff working in small ‘bubbles’ to reduce risk of transmission. You will also see safety guidance signage and where appropriate, queuing and one-way systems.
Important: We are offering Adult Swimming sessions only which must be pre-booked, just go to the 'Book Now' button, or call the centre direct.
The pool at South Reading will be welcoming back swimming clubs. It will also offer a small number of public adult lane swimming sessions (up to 2 hours per day). Numbers will be limited due to restrictions with changing room space, following Swim England safety guidance.
We will be offering two 45 minute Adult Swimming sessions (with staggered start times) at South Reading Leisure Centre, Monday - Friday. Morning sessions start at: 10.30am and 10.45am. The afternoon sessions will start at 4.30pm and 4.45pm. Session start times are staggered to avoid overcrowding in the changing rooms.
The paddling pool at Christchurch Meadows will not reopen this season. Public safety has to remain our overriding priority with the virus still in circulation and the need to enforce safe social distancing would be extremely difficult in such a popular facility.
See our guide below to sign up for Gym and Swim sessions
Initially communal areas will be closed off. Toilet facilities will be available but there will be no access to changing rooms or showers for members using the gyms and exercise classes.
The number of people using the swimming pool changing rooms will be limited and so please change at home first and come ‘beach ready’ where possible.
Meadway pool will remain closed for now.
For further details see our Centre Re-opening Updates page.
We offer swimming facilities across Reading, providing a range of swimming courses, classes and sessions for all ages and abilities.
From Aqua Academy courses, which follow the Amateur Swimming Association National Plan for Teaching Swimming, to fun water play sessions, lane swimming and targeted sessions for specific groups, we've got something for all interests.
Holiday Swimming:
Our Swimming timetables change during school holidays. For details please see the Holiday Swimming timetables at the bottom of this page, leading up to each holiday.
Christchurch Meadows Paddling Pool
The paddling pool is now closed for the season. Please check back for opening details in 2020.