Free swimming to continue for under 17s

This is an archived news story from July 2010

School children in Salford will still be able to swim for free during the summer holidays following the government programme coming to an early end.

National free swimming finishes on 31 July but Salford City Council is committed to continuing the offer during August for under 17s.

Following its spending review the government will no longer fund councils to provide free swimming for under 16s and people aged 60 and over.

It is up to local councils to decide if they can carry on free swimming by funding it themselves.

In Salford, the council will keep free swimming running at its Fit City leisure centres during this year's school summer holidays (until 29 August) for under 17s.

After 29 August swim prices will be back to the normal rates of £1.50 per swim for five - 16 year olds.

People aged 60 and over can swim free until 31 July after which normal prices of £3.00 per swim will resume.

Freedom memberships offering discounts to individual swim sessions and other activities can also be purchased at Fit City centres.

With Freedom+ memberships, people aged 70 and over can swim free and those aged 60-69 can receive unlimited swimming for only £28.00 a year.

Councillor Barry Warner, Salford City Council's lead member for culture and leisure said: "It's disappointing that we have to make these tough decisions but it's one that many councils are facing right now.

"Nationally public spending is being considered and locally we've had to think carefully about what we're able to afford but at the same time we recognise the benefits of free swimming with more than 150,000 visits by young people since it was introduced last year.

"This is why we've decided to continue the programme during the approaching school holidays to encourage youngsters to stay active and to give them something to do.

"Unfortunately the scale of the government cuts means we've had to adapt the programme and as a result we can no longer offer free swimming to people aged 60 and over after 31 July."

More information on Salford's Fit City centres, including swim prices.