Scheme for over-60s and under-16s begins (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Scheme for over-60s and under-16s begins

8:50am Tuesday 31st March 2009 in

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The over-60s and the under-16s in the district can swim for free at Bradford Council pools from tomorrow.

The Council is introducing a Swim4Free card for pensioners and youngsters aged between eight and 16 who want to take the plunge under the new scheme.

Under-eights do not need to register to take advantage of the two-year offer.

The Council is to receive more than £600,000 from the Government to offer free swimming at its pools for the two age groups.

The Swim4Free card can be used at all regular swim-for-all, family swim, early morning and splash sessions, but not for swimming lessons or staffed sessions such as aquacise and aquarobics. The Council’s executive member for environment and culture, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: “Swimming is wonderful exercise for everyone and hopefully free swimming will encourage even more people to do it.

“It is one of the Council’s priorities to encourage healthier communities and choice for older people.

“Our investment in the Swim4Free scheme for young people and the over-60s supports that commitment.”

Application forms for the cards are available from Council-owned pools and can be downloaded online at bradford.gov.uk/swim4free.

Once the form has been completed, residents should take it to their local pool with proof of age and a photograph will be taken for council records.

Permission to take the photograph will be needed from a parent or guardian for those aged eight to 15.

The card will be needed on each occasion to qualify for a free swim.

Out of the Government money, £123,944 is for subsidising over-60s swimming and £345,881 has been allocated for under 16s provision. The figures are based on population and the Council has also been allocated £149,440 as a capital grant.

The two-year deal will still leave the Council with an expected £110,00 shortfall after it agreed in September to sign up to both schemes.

It is now eligible for extra funding for swimming pool improvements and has applied to a national pot of £50 million for help in building a 25-metre city-centre pool.

Building a new showpiece pool is at the heart of the Telegraph & Argus Save Our Swimming campaign, which has now been supported by more than 2,600 people. It also calls for the Council to safeguard the future of community swimming pools.

The Council is currently consulting the district to help guide its strategy for the future of leisure provision.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk