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YOUNG AND OVER-60s GET IN THE SWIM – FOR FREE
Thursday 23rd October 2008
Young people and the over-60s in County Durham are to be among the first in the country to dive into free swimming sessions from next April.
Durham County Council's Cabinet today (October 24) agreed to take up government grant that will help provide free swimming at public pools across the county for two years.
The grant covers the over-60s and the under-16s but councillors agreed that the new unitary authority, which comes into being next April, should extend it to the under-18s - in line with the junior concession currently operated by most of the county's district councils.
"Swimming is not only good fun but a great way to exercise, keep fit and improve your health," said Councillor Eunice Huntington, Cabinet member for healthier communities.
"We all should keep active but it's especially important for children, the young and older people in our communities, and with free swimming there's no excuse not to do so.
"But there are also other benefits from this. Taking up the grant means we will be able to share in a £10m government pot to improve public swimming facilities and also be able to apply for a slice of Sport England's £25m pot to modernise swimming pools.
"We know the grant won't cover all the costs which is why we're delighted that County Durham Primary Care Trust (PCT) has agreed to provide the funding to meet the shortfall over the next two years.
"It's win-win all round and reinforces the new unitary council's aim to keep our communities active and healthy," she said.
Dr Tricia Cresswell, Executive Director of Public Health said: "We are delighted to be supporting this Free Swimming Programme which will make an important contribution to our plans to prevent and tackle obesity in County Durham. The provision of free swimming to the under 18's and over 60's will help to reduce the barriers to participation in regular physical activity and reduce the health inequalities by improving access to swimming opportunities for all the family."
The government announced in June this year its free swimming initiative which aims to get two million people more active by 2012.
Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe said: "I'm delighted to hear that Durham County Council is taking up our free swimming offer.
"Durham's under 18s and over 60s are really going to benefit from the scheme and it will have a positive impact on the whole community.
"I'm sure it will be a great success, and will ensure local leisure centres are more popular than ever. I hope all councils across the country follow their example."