Update on Falkirk Community Trust facilities reopening

Leisure facilities operated by Falkirk Community Trust will begin to reopen from this weekend.
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The trust has announced a series of scheduled openings after more than five months of closures during the Covid-19 lockdown.

From tomorrow the Plaza Café at the Helix Park will be reopening at weekends from 9.30am-4.30pm with a reduced menu.

The Plaza Café toilets will reopen daily from 9am to 4pm.

Visitors to the Plaza Cafe at the Helix will soon be able to once again enjoy this view of the KelpiesVisitors to the Plaza Cafe at the Helix will soon be able to once again enjoy this view of the Kelpies
Visitors to the Plaza Cafe at the Helix will soon be able to once again enjoy this view of the Kelpies
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Callendar Park public toilets will also reopen this weekend for weekends only at this stage.

On Monday, September 7, Grangemouth Stadium will reopen with the outdoor track and indoor track for throws and jumps available on a bookable basis (Monday and Wednesday 5pm to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm). There will be designated club access on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9pm.

There will be no access to changing rooms, and the café and gym will remain closed at this time.

From Thursday, September 10 the trust will be introducing a new ‘Click & Collect’ service for libraries.

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There will be reduced operating hours during the initial opening period, alongside the return of the Home Library Service.

This will be launched from Falkirk, Larbert and Bo’ness Libraries first on September 10; followed by Grangemouth, Bonnybridge, Denny and Slamannan on September 17.

Meadowbank Library was damaged in recent storms and is now expected to open on September 24.

Visitors will be able to visit Callendar House from September 10 but must book in advance online which can be done from September 8.

The tearoom remains closed.

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Fitness enthusists will be able to return to The Mariner Centre from September 14 with access to the swimming pool, squash courts, soft play and health & fitness facilities. The café and sauna will remain closed until further notice.

Stenhousemuir Gym and fitness classes and will resume on this date with limited capacity.

All Health & Fitness memberships will be unfrozen from September 14. However, the trust has said direct debit payments will not re-start until November 1.

A trust spokesperson said: “All our venues will comply with the Scottish Government’s Test and Protect scheme. As a result, all fitness classes, gym, swim, and soft play sessions as well as venue visits must be booked online. If you are unable to access or use online booking services, our team will do their utmost to assist you over the phone. Please just get in touch by calling the venue directly.

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"All of our services will have been adapted to incorporate the necessary social distancing measures and hygiene requirements. They will, therefore, look different as we continue to live and operate alongside Covid-19. Again, we will advise you of

these changes in advance.”

New outdoor fitness classes are planned for Grangemouth Stadium and the Helix Park with details still to be announced.

The trust has said it had a programme of work to complete in conjunction with Falkirk Council, as the buildings have been closed for so long. This involved a number of regulatory safety tests, including water quality, electricity, fire alarms, and arrange for the necessary remedial work to be undertaken where any problems were detected.

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