Free fitness for armed forces announced

Heywood Sports Village

All current serving Armed Forces personnel will be given free use of all Link4Life fitness facilities and swimming pools across the borough under new proposals announced this week.

Link4Life which manages leisure and cultural facilities on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council will run a pilot scheme starting on 1 June.

Serving Armed Forces personnel will be able to use Rochdale Leisure Centre, Middleton Arena, Littleborough Sports Centre, Heywood Sports Village, Bowlee Park and Castleton Swimming pool free of charge.

Both organisations signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant last November, aimed at encouraging local communities to support services that promote and encourage activities that help integrate Armed Forces personnel back into civilian life.

Clint Street, Chairman of the Link4Life Board of Trustees said: “Link4Life has been committed to working with our partners to deliver the objectives of the Armed Forces Covenant since November 2012 and to building on the work we have already started in the borough. I am sure that current service personnel using our facilities will receive a real benefit.”

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Lead Member for the Armed Forces and Chair of Heywood Township said: “Rochdale is leading the way in support of our returning heroes and I welcome this latest announcement from our partner Link4Life. By working together we will make a difference.”

Council Leader Colin Lambert said: “I am pleased our local service personnel are being supported this way. They form such an important part of our community. All the support we are offering is very worthwhile and I am pleased Link4Life are fully supportive. Our gyms offer a range of excellent facilities across the borough.”

Current or ex Armed Forces personnel can register for help by visiting http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/armedforces and if they encounter difficulties when accessing services from the council or its partners they are being asked to email armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk