Free swimming for the young and old

Rochdale Council has bid to introduce free swimming for the over 60s and under 16s across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

The decision to submit the Council's bid to the Government Department of Culture, Media and Sport was taken at a Cabinet meeting earlier this week.

The Secretary of State, Andy Burnham MP, announced earlier this year that he wanted local authorities to introduce these policies from April 2009 as part of the Olympic Legacy Programme.

The Grants available to Rochdale Council include £55,086 associated with free swimming for over 60s and £133,997 associated with the under 16s Free Swimming. There is also associated capital available to the authority.

The bid was endorsed by all councillors on the Cabinet, although concerns were raised that over 60s or under 16s from neighbouring authorities, that were not taking part in the initiative, could come into Rochdale and take advantage of the free offer. It was resolved that the Council would keep a close eye on the demographic of the people using the scheme once it is in place.

The move has also been backed by the Labour and Conservative group leaders, Councillors Colin Lambert and Ashley Dearnley.

Councillor Dearnley said he was pleased that the move could open up the opportunity to open up the swimming pool at Wardle High School for public use.

He said: "There is great demand for the use of the pool at Wardle but it is not often opened up for public use. We have found that people from Wardle and Littleborough go out of the borough to swim. I think this initiative will mean a lot of people stay in the borough.

"This is not a gimmick, it is a positive and sensible proposal that could bring great benefits for older people and under 16s."

Those sentiments were echoed by Labour leader Colin Lambert.

He said: "This is a great boost to the pensioners in our Borough and comes on top of the free off peak pensioners bus travel scheme announced earlier this year.

"I am delighted to see the council take up this initiative as part of the extended Olympic Legacy programme that will see free swimming for all by 2012.

"The addition of free swimming for under 16's is a massive boost to the health and well being of our younger generation. I think swimming is a fantastic sport and leisure activity. My wife and I are currently teaching our daughter and son to swim, and I am sure that the introduction of free swimming will be greatly welcomed by families across the borough. It is a great way of allowing kids to enjoy themselves in a safe environment and swimming is an ideal sport to encourage children to have fun and get active."

Cllr Terry Linden, the Labour Shadow spokeperson for Leisure, said: "After years of under funding swimming as a sport and leisure facility, this is a massive boost alongside the new swimming pools planned and being built across the borough. With all the waterways around our borough, free swimming for under 16s is a major safety initiative and a big factor in healthy lifestyles."