Now swimming pools have opened I was really excited to take the newest member of our family. My daughter Emma is 8 months and hasn’t really experienced swimming yet with everything being closed due to Coronavirus so I was excited to introduce her to the world of swimming pools as soon as I could!
I decided to take her on 5th August, it was a bit of a last minute decision so I wasn’t expecting to be able to get tickets, however I was pleasantly surprised to find there were still plenty available. I booked my ticket by the Barnsley Metrodome website and easily navigated my way to the ticket section. There were various time slots to choose every 15 minutes throughout the day and I selected the latest session 2pm.
We were slightly late due to Emma having a super long sleep but the sessions are for 1.5 hours so I wasn’t to worried about being a tad late. The main reception was empty and we were the only ones there apart from 2 staff members behind the pay desk, which was fully covered in screens. There were yellow arrows on the floor easily directing you into a one way system to the pay desks and out the other side to the changing rooms. The one way system was very good with barriers in place so there was no confusion as to the way in and out of the changing room.
Like reception, the changing rooms were empty so we easily chose a changing room and got ready for swimming.
Calypso Cove
Credit: Calypso Cove
I have always loved the Calypso Cove swimming pool, I have been going for years and my older kids love it. The water is always a good temperature for little ones and they seem to have something on offer for all ages. Due to the current pandemic, the slides are not open at the moment and this also includes the small pirate ship slide in the main pool. They had the wave machine on as normal and the toddler/ baby pool was also open as normal too.
The pool was very quiet I kept forgetting it was peak season as it felt like mid-week term time it was so quiet; this made the experience very relaxed and enjoyable.
Whilst in the pool the staff were making announcements directing the various coloured wristbands out of the pool. They also had the colours on a screen so it was clear which colour wristband needed to leave the pool due to their time expiring.
We stayed for over an hour and had a great time. The whole experience was very enjoyable and I can’t wait to go again.
It is worth noting that even though the slides are not open the price was still peak prices rather than off peak, however this was only a few pounds more expensive. It cost me £11 for me and my 8 month old for 1.5 hour session which I felt was reasonable.
** Update since Anna attended – the water slides including pirate ship slide have now re-opened, however Eruption and the diving boards will remain closed for now **
Metrodome Leisure Complex Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN
To book tickets: www.calypsocovewaterpark.org.uk/
