Planning ahead for reopening, funding update, and updates to Skedda Booking
Funding Updates:
We have been successful in securing funding from the Andy Jackson fund for access to support the costs associated with reopening – a big thank you to the trustees of this fund for their support and belief in Pinkston.
Our Just Giving Campaign has reached a total of £3492 – thank you so much to everyone who has donated. Particular mention goes to Edinburgh Kayak Club and Monklands Canoe Club who have made generous donations from their clubs, but there are also so very many individuals who have supported the campaign – thank you to all of you. This campaign is still open for anyone who hasn’t already done so and feels able to offer their support – https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Pinkstoncovid19?fbclid=IwAR1t6wRF193GMzHYFw5GN3WH0WYnz526FfDbxVLpJ10y5mWMboVQOS_6rWs
Thanks are also due to clubs who have pre-paid for sessions which is allowing us flexibility around expenditure as we move to be ready for re-opening.
We are awaiting decisions from The Fore RAFT fund (£5000), and the Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund (£25,000). Other applications are also underway.
Planning for reopening
As we start to look ahead I will be working on the booking system – all sessions at Pinkston have been cancelled since 20th March, and will continue to be cancelled until restrictions are lifted. However, the booking system had not been fully updated in relation to changes. I have started the process of working through these bookings and taking them out of the diary so that when we can reopen we will be doing so with a clean slate. Apologies to those account holders who are being/will be bombarded with booking updates. I plan to remove bookings until the summer. When the time comes to reopen I will make contact with users directly to rebook sessions subject to the new restrictions that will be in place.
Of course, none of us know yet exactly what is going to happen with reopening and what restrictions will be in place and for how long. However we have been looking at how to maintain social distancing when activity is resumed. The health and safety of all users and staff will remain the highest priority, but subject to appropriate guidelines we are looking at how we can reintroduce activities at Pinkston when the time is right.
Details still to be finalised, but this will include:
- Restricted numbers on the water and in toilets/changing areas – possibly encouraging changing in vehicles / off-site.
- Booking for changing areas to allow increased cleaning in between users and to avoid conflicting demands
- Bookings to be made directly with Pinkston staff by email/telephone – at least until such time as a new way of working is established.
- Digital sign ins to avoid physical contact, possibly emailing group hire forms in advance of a session
- Increased access and egress points to the basin and course
- Hand sanitiser stationed at various points onsite
- Increased cleaning routines in all areas and at all times
What can you do to help?
- As we prepare for reopening we are looking at how we fit hand sanitiser stations, and increasing the number of access/egress points on the course on the basin – we would welcome contact from people who would be willing to assist with this – particularly those with joinery skills or experience moving and fitting blocks to the whitewater course. Any work that goes ahead will be subject to strict social distancing measures and in line with current guidance.
- We are still looking to build on our library of case studies “What Pinkston means to me” – please get in touch if you have something that you can share.
See you on the other side
Hannah
By Pinkston