Plans to offer free swimming to children and older people across Daventry District have been supported by councillors.
On Thursday (November 27) Daventry District Council’s Strategy Group discussed whether to take part in a national government programme to provide free swimming sessions to youngsters under 16 and people over 60.
Daventry District Council already provides free swimming to under 16s during school holidays at Daventry Leisure Centre - a scheme which has proved hugely popular, with more than 26,334free swims since its launch in February 2007.
The new initiative proposed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will extend the free swimming programme for under 16s at the leisure centre and enable over 60s to use the pool for free. Neighbouring councils, including Northampton and Kettering, are also considering the proposals for their residents.
Should the Council decide to go ahead with the programme at the next full Council meeting on December 11, it will receive government funding towards the scheme - approximately £62,000 of grants to help run the new service over the next two years, along with further funding to improve pool facilities. Plans include refurbishing the changing rooms with improved lighting, moisture-resistant tiles and a new schools change area.
DCMS has yet to decide whether it will be funding the scheme after 2011/12, so the Council’s Strategy Group members agreed to carry out a routine review of the scheme after two years.
Councillor Alan Hills, Daventry District Council’s Community, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder, said: “The Council’s free swimming initiative for under 16s during the school holidays at Daventry Leisure Centre has proved very popular.
“This programme would take this a step forward, offering free swimming for children and the over 60s at Daventry Leisure Centre and would provide great benefits to residents in helping to stay fit and healthy.”
Powered by EasySite™