Revised membership packages are being introduced at the National Sports Centre (NSC) ahead of the temporary closure of the pool and associated facilities for improvements next year.
Currently, an NSC membership at £396 (£286 for over-60s) includes use of the Fitness Zone, swimming pool, spa area and track and discount on classes.
The pool will close in 2018 for extensive refurbishment. The date and length of closure are not yet known.
Carl Glover, NSC Manager, said:
‘In order that we don’t charge customers for a facility that they can’t then use for a period, we have revised our memberships.’
There are two packages available to new and existing members:
From this month, a swim-only membership will cost £240 a year or £24 a month if paying by Direct Debit. This membership will be suspended when the pool closes and reactivated when it reopens, so no-one will lose money.
A gym/spa membership, costing £299 or £30 a month by Direct Debit, will include complimentary use of the pool until its closure, although no refund will be offered once the pool is out of action.
Three-month versions of these memberships are also available.
Existing customers with more than 30 days left on their membership are invited to switch to one of the new packages. If the package they select costs less than they have paid, they will be compensated by way of an extension at the end of their membership.
Following the pool’s overhaul, a new combined gym and pool membership will be introduced.
Carl said:
‘The refurbishment of the pool area, though inconvenient, will complete improvement work at the NSC that started last year after flooding led to us upgrading many areas of the facility to a high standard.
‘As we strive to get more people more active more often, we hope existing and new members will support us in switching to their choice of alternative membership while we carry out the work and benefit from the improvements once the refurbishment is complete.’
The date of the pool closure will be publicised well in advance.
The NSC has written to all customers to explain the changes and members with queries should email NSC@gov.im, ring 688588 or visit reception.
From 1st July, the age at which members will qualify for discount will rise from 60 to 65 in line with other Government Departments.
Members aged 60 to 64 switching to the swim-only package will actually save £46 a year, or £2 a month if paying that way, while those opting for the gym/spa option with complimentary swimming will have an increase of £13 a year/£4 a month (if paying that way).
