Frequently Asked Questions

All of our Frequently Asked Questions in one place

Please also see our FAQs within our booking system for Leisure Pool, Holiday Camps, Birthday Parties, Cycling Session, Leisure Pool Hire & Aqua Springs Hire here. 

There are two access control gates in our Welcome Zone which operate differently to each other and will be marked as either ‘Group Entry’ or ‘Single Entry’.
Both gates offer ‘free exit’ whereby when you approach a gate it will open to allow exit.   

Gate 1 – for small ‘Group Entry’:  

  • Leisure Pool & Family Swims   
  • Parent & Toddler Swims  
  • Swimming Lessons*  
  • Racquet Sports   
  • Accompanied wheelchair access  

Gate 2 – for individual ‘Single Entry’:  

  • Activa Gym Workout  
  • Group Fitness Class   
  • Individual Swim  
  • Club attendance**  
  • Individual wheelchair access  

Larger groups  

For larger groups such as schools swimming, private pool hire, birthday party groups etc. the Welcome Zone team will give access.  

To operate the gates either:  

  • Scan a Leisure Card/Fob/Wristband/Phone Sticker – the gate will open if there is a valid booking for the activity.  
  • Scan the barcode on the ticket issued from the Welcome Zone desk or the self-service kiosks.  
  • If the gate does not open a message will appear in the screen on the gate asking you to report to the desk.  

Lifestyles members –   

  • You no longer need to book in at our self-service kiosks to go to the gym or for a Fitness Pool swim.  Simply scan your Leisure Card at the gate and select ‘Gym’, ‘Swim’ or ‘Gym & Swim’ on the touchscreen at the gate.  Usual swim timetables apply.  
  • For Group Fitness Classes – It is important that you still book classes and individually scan your Leisure Card at the gate and select ‘Check-in’ to register attendance.  If you do not scan your Leisure Card your attendance will not be recorded, and you will incur a non-attendance charge.  

*Swimming lessons –  

  • Scan the Leisure Card of the swimmer.   
  • If you have more than one swimmer you can scan either card.  
  • Select ‘Check-in’ to open the gate  

**Club attendees –   

  • Individual club attendees must hold a Leisure Card and to advise the process they must follow.  
  • Please speak to your club officials to confirm the process you need to follow.  

We politely ask that you scan each time you go through the gates and do not tail-gate through behind others, as an alarm will sound, and you will be challenged.  

You can book the following activities before your visit, allowing you to fast-track into your chosen activity, saving you time once you arrive at the venue:   

  • Group Exercise Classes / Aerobics Classes Book Online or via our App 
  • Activa Gym – via our App  

You can download our app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.   

Yes, we have space for spectators and a Coffee Shop for you to use too!  

For those needing the assistance of a Carer, please see question ‘I require the assistance of a Carer what do I need to do?’   

Carers are admitted free of charge to assist you with your personal needs and to accompany you during your activities if required.  

Please note:  Free of charge carers for the Activa Gym are there to give assistance only and not to have a work-out themselves.  If they wish to work-out they will need to book a paid slot.   

With a Leisure Card you can: 

  • Scan through the turnstiles at Leisure World Colchester faster 
  • Receive special offers and promotions*** 

* not all activities and facilities will be available to be booked online 

** Adult Leisure Card Holders will qualify for discounts on standard prices 

*** if registered that you want to receive marketing information from us 

Everyone can apply for a Leisure Card. There are three levels: 

  • adult   
  • junior (for those aged 15 years and under) 

No,  Leisure Cards are free of charge. 

 The easiest way to apply is on-line   

  • First select the main site you wish to use.   
  • Then select either Adult, Junior or Concession. 
  • Select ‘Pay As You Go – Free Leisure Card’ and complete remainder of the sign-up process. 

You can apply at Leisure World Colchester in person, but this might take longer, especially at busier times. 

Yes, you can sign-up to the scheme without ever taking a card; however, this will mean that you will be unable to use the fast-track entry through the turnstiles at Leisure World Colchester and the access control doors at Colchester Sports Park. If you are signing up to only use another site, such as Leisure World Tiptree, you are still more than welcome to have a card, but this site will not have turnstiles for fast-track entry.

 

If your Leisure Card is lost or stolen you can pay for another one to be issued. These will be charged at £3.50 for both credit card size cards and key

If you return your broken or worn–out card or key fob it will be replaced, like- for-like, free of charge. 

It is a condition of the use of the card that you update us if your details change and in order to make the most of Leisure Card you need to keep us up to date so that you don’t miss out on offers and rewards. 

The car park is free to use for our customers.  Charges will apply for those not using our facilities.  Please see further details about our Car Park here.  

See our Eligibility Criteria information sheet. 

Please contact us by email at  contact.leisureworld@colchester.gov.uk  for queries about Leisure World or Sports.park@colchester.gov.uk for Colchester Sports Park and we will be happy to help. 

Alternatively you can call us on 01206 282000, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.