Glasgow Life announce opening dates for selected venues

Glasgow Life have announced the phased re-opening of 61 of their venues which will take place between July and October.

Article Source: Glasgow Life
First Published: 3 July 2020 11:44
Updated: 3 July 2020 11:49

We have identified 61 venues and facilities which we’re aiming to reopen across four phases between July and October. We’ve already delivered phase one with the reopening of 11 golf, tennis and lawn bowls facilities across the city last month.

Our second phase prioritises the reopening of community centres to support essential childcare, in line with the Scottish Government’s decision that childcare provision will return from 15 July. Given this date, we’re working with childcare operators to help them reinstate their services as safely and as quickly as possible this month.

Phase three will run concurrently with phase two throughout July and will see more of our office-based and frontline staff returning to work to prepare venues for reopening to the public. Some key tenants will also be given access in this phase.

And phase four, from August to October, will see continued support for childcare and education provision, greater access for tenants, and the reopening of some of our venues to the public more widely, in line with ongoing public health and government guidance.

PUBLIC REOPENING OF SELECTED VENUES

All dates below are based on the Scottish Government’s route map. They are indicative and subject to change.

AUGUST

Week beginning Monday 10 August:
• Ibrox Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Partick Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Pollokshaws Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Shettleston Library - Reopening at reduced capacity

Week beginning Monday 17 August:
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Glasgow Club Scotstoun - Gym, fitness studios and outdoor pitches (pools remain closed)
• Glasgow Green Football Centre - Outdoor pitches

Week beginning Monday 25 August:
• Tollcross International Swimming Centre - Gym and fitness studios (pools remain closed)
• Toryglen Regional Football Centre - Outdoor pitches

Week beginning Monday 31 August:
• Riverside Museum - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Glasgow Club Donald Dewar - Gym, fitness studios and outdoor pitches
• Emirates Arena - Gym and fitness studios (spa remains closed)

SEPTEMBER

Week beginning Monday 7 September:
• Tramway - Reopening at reduced capacity (incl. partner activities)
• Easterhouse Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Drumchapel Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Gorbals Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Glasgow Club Bellahouston - Gym and fitness studios (pools remain closed)
• Glasgow Club Gorbals - Gym and fitness studios (pools remain closed)

Week beginning Monday 14 September:
• Glasgow Club Kelvin Hall Gym and fitness studios (other areas remain closed)
• Glasgow Club Castlemilk Gym and fitness studios (pools remain closed)

Week beginning Monday 21 September:
• Glasgow Club Springburn - Gym and fitness studios (pools remain closed)
• Glasgow Club Maryhill - Gym and fitness studios (pools remain closed)

Week beginning Monday 28 September:
• Tollcross International Swimming Centre - Pools open
• Glasgow Club Gorbals - Pools open

OCTOBER

Week beginning Monday 5 October:
• Gallery of Modern Art - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Possilpark Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Bridgeton Library - Reopening at reduced capacity
• Royston Library - Reopening at reduced capacity


As one of Scotland’s largest charities, we’re at the heart of Glasgow’s communities; delivering some of the city’s most used and most valued services. In 2019/20, more than 18m attendances were recorded across our venues and events. We care passionately about what we do and we’re proud of the difference we make to the lives of Glasgow’s citizens and visitors.

Although we’ve put in place a wide range of new online programmes and adaptations to existing provision; after 14 weeks of lockdown, local communities and businesses are understandably eager to reengage with our services and we know that demand for the reopening of our venues is extremely high.

We recognise the challenges will be immense for people in the city who are used to enjoying and, in many cases, rely on our services, but we need to balance that expectation against the complex planning which is now required to reopen any of our buildings. As we prepare for a new way of living and working after coronavirus, our fundamental concern must be to ensure that our facilities are safe for our staff and the public.

Like every organisation, we’ve been hit hard by Covid-19. The complete shutdown of Glasgow’s museums, libraries and sports venues for more than three months, together with the cancellation of most of the city’s events and festivals this year has had a considerable impact on our finances.

We have furloughed nearly 1,000 employees while many more are shielding or have underlying health or childcare issues; significantly reducing the capacity of our workforce. While the government’s Job Retention Scheme will provide some financial relief, it won’t compensate fully for the substantial losses we’re facing this year, which could run into tens of millions of pounds.

This means that some of what we did previously will not continue in the same way. It’s simply not possible. Ongoing social distancing restrictions also mean many of our 171 venues can’t re-open safely; and we will need more staff than before to be working at the venues we do reopen to ensure these restrictions are followed.

With that being the case, not all of the venues we currently run will re-open and not all of the services we deliver will continue.

Without doubt, the effects of this crisis will be felt for some time to come. That’s why we need to make the correct decisions now, such as prioritising childcare and education, to help maintain vital services in local communities and support the city’s economic recovery in the longer-term.

It’s hugely reassuring that Glasgow City Council has agreed to support us financially during this difficult period and we’ll continue to work together to review and prioritise which venues and services we can restart or reopen and when. However, there are no easy solutions and it’s highly unlikely that we will be able to return to anything like our normal service provision in the near future.

The links below show the timescale we’re working to regarding reopening. It’s as definitive as we can make it at this time given the huge number of factors outwith our control, not least any resurgence in infection rates. As it has been from the outset of this crisis, the safety of the public and our staff will remain at the heart of our decision-making.

View the list of venues that are reopening to the public »

View the list of venues that are reopening for essential services »

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