Bumper day of free sporty fun

Bumper day of free sporty fun

Energetic residents will start the big summer of celebration in style with a bumper day of free sports activities this Saturday (9 June).

Sports centres and pools across the borough will be offering a whole host of activities including free swimming, football and racquet sports for anyone who fancies a go.

Free swimming will be available at the Central Leisure Centre, the Heywood Sports Village and the Middleton Arena.

Footballers can have a free kick-about at the Bowlee Park Sports Centre, the Kingsway Park Sports centre, the Heywood Sports Village and the Littleborough Sports Centre, with other outdoor sports also on offer.

Squash and badminton can be practiced at the Littleborough Sports Centre and the Middleton Arena.

Eight to 16 year-olds can head over to Heywood Sports Village in West Starkey Street for a free session in the youth gym.

Councillor Jacqueline Beswick, Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We know how hard it can be to keep youngsters entertained over half term without spending a lot of money, so this is a great opportunity for families to sample our fantastic sports facilities completely free of charge. I’d encourage as many people as possible to come and along and see what it’s all about.”

The free events run from 12 noon to 3pm on Saturday and no booking is required, except at the squash and badminton sessions, where people should phone Littleborough Sports Centre (01706 756602) or Middleton Arena (0161 662 4000) to book their slot. A £5 refundable deposit will also be required for the racquet and ball.

All children under eight must be accompanied by an adult in the water and the only money people will need to bring is £1 for the use of lockers.

Craig McAteer, Managing Director of Link4Life said: “The ‘BIG Free Day’ is the first of a series of events coming up in June and July offering a wide range of free taster sessions across the borough. Part of the borough’s celebrations for International Year of Co-operatives and London 2012 it is a showcase of what’s on offer in collaboration with many different local clubs and groups in both sports and the arts.”