Free swimming set to start in April

Rochdale baths.

Free swimming in Rochdale borough pools for all under 17s and over 60s will start on Wednesday (1 April).

It is estimated that around 90,000 residents will benefit and the scheme is open to anyone no matter where they live.

Head of Business Partnerships for the council, Anne Taylor, said: “The financial commitment made to free swimming presents an exciting opportunity for local people to increase their activity levels and help to improve their overall health and well-being. It is vitally important and the council is backing it every step of the way.”

Free swimming sessions will be available at Link4Life pools in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Castleton.

“Swimming is nationally the most popular participation sport”, continued Anne Taylor. “Link4Life will be working over the coming weeks to introduce and manage the new scheme and to encourage more people to take it up now that it is free. We will also be looking at opportunities in the future to extend free swimming to everyone.”

Details of the free sessions are available from the participating pools and are available online at www.link4life.org/pools. No pre-registration is necessary; swimmers just have to turn up.