National Free Swimming Scheme Cancelled but Participants Can Still Swim and Learn for Free in Bury and Haverhill
The Government may have cancelled the national free swimming scheme for children and pensioners but Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill Leisure Centres have pledged to continue offering free swimming for scheme participants.
The national free swimming scheme for the under-16s and over-60s was launched by the government two years ago and 6,600 people from Bury St Edmunds took advantage of the initiative in the first six months. However, last month the Government said it could no longer afford the scheme, which was due to run until 2011, as it looked at ways of tackling national debt. The scheme will end on July 31.
Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill Leisure Centres will continue to offer free swimming to the under 16s and over 60s three times a week from August 1 plus there will be additional sessions over the summer holidays. In addition any child registered on the West Suffolk Swim Scheme will be able to access 15 casual swimming sessions each term.
Plus the two free swimming lesson courses in September for the over 60s will continue to go ahead, funded by Abbeycroft Leisure. One course will also be run in January.
Warren Smyth, Chief Executive of Abbeycroft Leisure, said: “We understood why the scheme has been cancelled in the current climate but we did not want Centre users already on the scheme to miss out on their free swimming and lessons. The scheme has encouraged many people who could not swim and those who had not swum for many years to return to the pool and we want to encourage that as much as possible.
“Although we cannot offer as many sessions as the Government backed scheme allowed us to provide before we think that by providing sessions three times a week will allow people to continue to enjoy swimming.”
Swimming is widely considered by health experts to provide an excellent cardiovascular workout. It also tones, strengthens your heart muscles, and improves the delivery of oxygen to the different parts of the body.
Free swimming on the following times at Haverhill Leisure Centre:
Week’s commencing 9th/16th/23rd August:
Under 16’s FREE SWIM 10am – 12pm Monday – Friday
Except Thursday’s 10am – 11am / Evening FREE SWIM 6pm – 7.30 pm
60+ FREE SWIM in any 50+ session
Teaching Pool 10am – 12pm Mon – Fri For all weeks
To be entitled to free swimming you must already be registered on the scheme. Timetable for free swimming in Sept will be reviewed.
Free swimming on the following times at Bury Leisure Centre:
Monday - Friday 4.30pm - 6.00pm for 16 and under and 60+
Monday 12.15pm - 2.00pm 60+ ONLY