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Over 8,000 'Swim for a Shilling'
Friday 25th July 2008
When the City of Durham Launched it’s ‘Swim for a Shilling’ week at the opening of Freeman’s Quay last Friday everyone knew it would be popular. What no one predicated was how popular. Since the 5p swim deal began at 10am on Friday 18th July over 8,000 people have taken the plunge.
The offer ended on Thursday 24th July at 10pm and has been hailed as a resounding success. Durham City Leader Coun. Fraser Reynolds, 'Its fantastic and a great endorsement for this magnificent facility. We are delighted that by timing the opening with the school holidays we have given so many residents and visitors the chance to enjoy it for themselves. It's very rewarding to see so many people having fun.'
A thousand people a day flowed through the turnstiles with that figure doubling in the closing 29 hours of the 5p offer. For most of Thursday pool staff issued coloured wrist bands and limited pool time for swimmers to make sure waiting times were minimised and everyone got their chance to swim for a shilling.
Centre Manager Kay Smith, ' I am so thrilled that our opening week has proved so popular. The team of staff at Freeman's Quay has worked tirelessly to try and make sure that everyone who came to swim for a shilling enjoyed great customer care. Now the school holidays are off and away we hope many more of you will come and have a swim. We have a great inflatable coming soon and plenty to keep everyone entertained.'
In addition to the 8,159 swimmers the first week saw nearly 300 gym and swim memberships activated and 3,465 swimming lessons booked.
Freeman's Quay is a £12.3m state of the art leisure complex boasting 2 pools with floating floors, a 130 station Lifestyle Fitness Gym, a 4 court dance studio and Durham's only 'Changing Room' for people with high support needs.