Manchester City Council keeps free swimming afloat
6 August 2010
Following news that central Government has cut funding across the UK for free swimming, Manchester City Council has confirmed that it will keep the service afloat.
Government money was put in place in 2009 to enable everyone aged 16 and under and over 60 to swim for free at public swimming pools as part of a drive to encourage more people to be active and healthy.
The aim was to get two million people more active by London 2012.
Now, as part of £73m-worth of savings by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the national scheme has ended.
Manchester City Council however have put a contingency plan in place which will mean that free swimming for those over 60 will continue in its current form in Manchester and that free swimming will be available in the school holidays for those aged 16 and under.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure said: "There is real value in the free swimming scheme with the biggest impact for us being seen during the school holidays when young people have really benefited from its availability. It was therefore a priority for us to continue this and I'm very pleased that we are able to carry on with the service for those over 60 as well."
Among the over 60s there are more than 5,300 registered swimmers in Manchester with more than 50,000 visits recorded in the last 12 months. Among young people, an additional 2,000 swimmers per month are now making use of the city's pools. In this age group more than 135,000 visits have been recorded since the initiative began in April 2009 with the biggest uptake being seen in Wythenshawe, where there has been a 56% increase in the number of young people swimming.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure said: "It's clear just how important this provision is on the long-term health and wellbeing of local residents. The positive benefits it provides should not be underestimated or overlooked so I'm very pleased that we have reached a solution for Manchester residents. We will continue to review the situation with a view to keeping it in place long-term."
Free swimming is available to qualifying Manchester residents at all of the city's public swimming pools. Application forms are available at local leisure centres.
