Free swimming for under 16s and over 60s

Date of issue: Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Free swimming for under 16s and over 60s will be available at Carlisle’s public pools from this April.

The Carlisle scheme is one of almost 300 across England and is part of the Government’s free swim4life initiative. Linked to the nationwide Change4Life campaign, it aims to get people to lead more active, healthy lives in the run up to London 2012.

The £140 million programme lasts for two years and is a central part of plans to ensure a lasting legacy from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. A successful Carlisle City Council funding application resulted in the Carlisle scheme going ahead, after the government invited local authorities to bid for the two-year funding allocation.

Carlisle City Council in partnership with their leisure management operator Carlisle Leisure Limited (CLL) will offer free swimming for under 16s and over 60s in designated sessions at The Pools, Carlisle.

The scheme has also been extended to include Trinity Leisure Centre and Morton Pool & Fitness Centre, thanks to an agreement between the City Council and CLL.

Residents can apply for their Leisure Access Card from Wednesday, 25 March. Accessing the scheme is simple – residents need to take along proof of their age and a passport sized photograph to one of the three CLL managed pools and they will be given a leisure access card, which will allow them to swim free of charge from this April onwards.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

"We decided to bid for both free swimming schemes, as we wanted as many residents as possible to reap the benefits. In partnership with CLL, we’ve also taken the decision to expand the scheme to other public swimming pools within the city. This is an exciting initiative that we hope that our local residents sign-up to."

Jim Douglas, Managing Director of Carlisle Leisure Limited, said:

"We are delighted to assist in the free swim initiative for the people of Carlisle and hope to deliver even greater participation at the leisure facilities. It will really make a difference and help build a much healthier community and a sustainable legacy after 2012."

Rebecca Adlington, swimming’s double Olympic gold medallist, said:

"I’m backing the free swimming initiative because it’s a great way to encourage more people into the pool." 

"No matter what your age, swimming is an amazing sport and a great way to stay fit and healthy. I look forward to seeing pools up and down the country being used to their full potential and maybe even creating Olympic stars of the future!"