Updated 16 August 2021
Latest news – Kent Sport phased reopening
From Monday 16 August, we will enter the next stage of phased reopening.
We are now:
- Operating on normal opening hours
- Allowing up to 1 hour 45 minutes for gym sessions
- Allowing use of changing rooms, showers, and lockers along the main hallway
- Offering one squash court at the Sports Centre
- No longer operating a one-way system and dedicated entry and exits
- No longer requiring face masks, still highly advisable in common areas
All sessions will need to be booked online. Please see our step-by-step guide for creating and updating your online account.
While many restrictions have now ended, some are still in place. See our Coronavirus webpage for guidance on using Kent Sport facilities.
Restrictions remaining:
- Face masks and coverings advisable in common areas
- All activities must be booked and cancelled online
- Water fountains will remain as bottle filling only
- Equipment hire is not currently available
- Hand sanitising stations will remain throughout the facility
.
Please note: due to essential maintenance, all classes will take place in the main hall this week. We will update you once classes return to the studio.
Further updates on the reopening of our services will be shared through @UniKentSports on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as soon as we are able to.
Make sure you check out our Stay Well @ Home webpage for at-home workouts, virtual classes and wellbeing advice.
Frequently asked questions
We want everyone to feel safe and secure at all times while exercising, and so we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. This will be updated regularly as we respond to questions and government advice. If you have any questions, please email sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk.
The University’s response to Coronavirus can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/coronavirus.
What safety and social distancing measures are in place?
- You will be required to pre-book any activity in advance, we will not be allowing access to anyone that has not pre-booked
- No equipment is currently available to rent, please make sure you bring with you any equipment you need
- A maximum of one hour and 45 minutes is allowed for each booking. Please ensure you leave the building as soon as your booking has ended
- You will need to queue outside the Sports Centre and The Pavilion for ALL bookings, including the Physiotherapy Clinic
- Please check-in for your activity at reception. There will be a perspex screen at reception to protect you and our receptionists
- Our facilities are now cashless, we will be accepting contactless payments only – either by card or apple/google pay
- We ask that you sanitise your hands before passing through the turnstiles. Additional sanitising stations will be located throughout the building
- All equipment will need to be wiped down prior to and after use. Please use the hand sanitiser machines to clean your hands throughout your workout
- If you feel unsafe or unwell, please speak to a member of our staff
Do I need to wear a mask or face covering?
Face masks and coverings are no longer required, however, they are highly advisable in common areas. You do not need to wear a mask or face covering during your activity.
How do I book an activity or gym session?
All activities must be booked in advance. You can book online through your membership portal only. If you have not booked, you will not be allowed access to the building. When using the online booking system, please be aware of the following procedure to ensure you book the correct slot:
- Gym sessions (weights or cardio) and classes are bookable under ‘Class’. Search for ‘cardio session’ and ‘resistance/weights session’ for gym bookings
- Outdoor sports bookings are bookable under ‘Activity’
Please be courteous and only book one session or activity per member per day.
How do I cancel sessions?
If you can no longer attend a session you’ve booked, it’s important that you cancel that booking. This allows other users to book that slot. Cancellation is easy to do – simply visit your online account and click the ‘My Bookings’ tab.
- Login to your account
- Click ‘Online Booking’
- Use the various filters to narrow down your search
- Select either ‘Quick Book’ or ‘Add to Basket’
- For some activities, you can also select the pitch or court for your booking
- Once you have chosen your session(s), hover over the basket item in the top right of your screen and select ‘Checkout’
- Check the items in your basket are correct, and once you are happy, click ‘Continue’
- Your sessions are now booked. You will receive a booking confirmation email
What happens if I don’t cancel a session and don’t attend?
We may suspend and fine the accounts of those that don’t cancel a session and don’t attend. Suspension will prevent further bookings until any fines are paid in full.
Will there be limitations on gym access?
You will be required to book your session in the gym before you visit Kent Sport. This is to ensure there are no more than the guideline number of people in the gym at all times. Slots will be bookable for a maximum of one hour 45 minutes.
Will social distancing measures restrict class sizes?
Yes, social distancing means that classes in the fitness and dance studio will be reduced. You will only be able to book classes online for the foreseeable future. The Dance Studio and equipment will be cleaned in between classes.
Will you be offering fitness and dance classes?
Yes, fitness and dance classes have now returned to the studio at the Sports Centre. Visit our classes webpage for the full timetable.
If you are not able to visit us, we have filmed a library of virtual classes for you to enjoy from home and can be found on our Vimeo channel.
Will I be able to play sport?
Indoor sports have returned to the Sports Centre. You are now able to book basketball in the main hall, badminton in hall 2, and volleyball in hall 3. All sports must be pre-booked in advance using the online booking system.
Outdoor sports are also available at The Pavilion. You will be able to book outdoor sports through your online account. There are three bookable pitches on the 3GX, and two on the 3G pitch. We also have bookable grass pitches. The Astro pitch is currently unavailable.
Our brand-new Indoor Tennis and Events Arena, featuring 4 acrylic courts, has also reopened.
All sports booking numbers are determined by the government and NGB guidance.
What are the current maximum numbers for sport?
Outdoor pitches
| Maximum numbers | |
| Commercial / organised club bookings | Unlimited |
| Member bookings | 30 |
Tennis Centre
| Maximum numbers | |
| Commercial / organised club bookings | Subject to NGB guidance |
| Member bookings | ‘Rule of 6’ per half court |
Indoor sports halls
| Maximum numbers | |
| Commercial / organised club bookings | Subject to NGB guidance |
| Member bookings | ‘Rule of 6’ per half court |
Will I be able to use the lockers, changing and shower facilities?
Our changing rooms, showers, and lockers are now available for use. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide locker access inside the changing rooms. Only the lockers in the hallway towards the Main Hall are available.
Do I need to bring equipment with me?
We would advise that you bring any sports equipment with you to your booking (balls, rackets etc.) as we will not be able to hire equipment. Some smaller items can still be purchased at main reception (contactless and card transactions only).
Can I bring a bag with me?
We are allowing bags to be brought in to our facilities for customers wishing to use the showers after their session.
Will you be offering personal training and other health services?
Fitness services including consultations are once again available to book with the Health and Fitness team. Personal training is currently on hold.
Please email j.dexter@kent.ac.uk or call us on 01227 824 376.
Will I be able to access water fountains?
Water fountains have been switched on for bottle filling only.
For more information about the way Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic is opening, please visit the clinic’s FAQs.
Thanks for getting in touch. We understand your concerns and we are doing all we can to support students during lockdown. Please review the Kent Sport and Kent Union joint statement on membership refunds here https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/kentsport-news/statement-on-membership-refunds/
Are partial refunds available? I have paid 245 pounds for a premium gym member where i couldn’t get a session in for 5 days after purchasing, getting a sum total of 3 uses of the gym, when trying to go everyday. I understand it’s difficult but other gyms freeze the membership or do partial refunds. Students are struggling.
If leisure facilities are forced to close again, please contact our membership team at memberships@kent.ac.uk and they will be able to advise on the situation. Thanks, Kent Sport
Will we be eligible fo refunds if the government closes gyms indefinitely again?