A state-of-the-art swimming pool is set to launch a packed programme of activities and lessons when it opens its doors in North Tyneside next week.
PaddlePod in Shiremoor is to be the company's second learn-to-swim centre in the region, following the opening last December of its first facility near Killingworth.
It promises a boost for the area with its range of facilities for all ages and The Chronicle was invited for a first look behind the scenes ahead of Tuesday's big opening.
The pool originally had been due to open in time for the Easter holidays, explained PaddlePod's Emma Koster, but then lockdown happened.
As restrictions eased and with new Covid-19 safety measures to focus on - "a challenge we didn't expect" said Emma - they decided to hold off and time the launch close to the start of the new school term.
"We had to look at the timetable and things like staggering start times between groups coming in," said Emma about the swimming classes and activities on offer.
But just as important for them was the focus on ensuring that the environment would be a welcoming one, especially for the youngsters.
"And we've achieved that."
The idea, too, is to create a wider experience for families so that, rather than just drop in for a swimming lesson, they can spend a longer chunk of time there, enjoying different activities and perhaps stopping off for lunch in between.
Besides its swimming pool, which will be hosting lessons for newborns upwards, PaddlePod includes a soft play area for young ones and a cafe.
The cafe overlooks the pool so that parents have somewhere comfortable to wait while their children enjoy their dip.
When PaddlePod opens on Tuesday, September 1, customers will also find a downstairs activity room which will be used to host dance and exercise classes from the likes of baby ballet; Little Learners, Kalma Baby, Sweaty Mamas and ARTventurers.
Besides being able to sign up to swimming lessons in the pool for children aged up to 12, there is also the option to hire it for exclusive use so that guests can, for instance, swim together as a family or enjoy a birthday party with a difference.
For more information about PaddlePod see here.
