Free swimming for children this school holiday (From Wiltshire Times)

Free swimming for children this school holiday

4:00pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News

Young people can swim for free this summer as Wiltshire Council continues to fund free swimming during school holidays.

Children aged up to 16 can enjoy free sessions during all public swimming sessions at their local Wiltshire Council and DC Leisure managed leisure centres in county throughout the school holidays.

The initiative is one of a number the council is providing in partnership with Wiltshire NHS to help support families and children to adopt healthier habits and improve their health and wellbeing.

Portfolio holder for leisure, Jerry Kunkler, said: "We hope as many children as possible take up this opportunity and enjoy free swimming this summer as part of their holiday activities.

"Keeping fit is so important and we hope having these free sessions will encourage young people to stay active in the long term as well.

"This is an Olympic year when young people’s interests in sport will be heightened so offering free swimming provides an added incentive to exercise whilst having fun."

Under-16s will be able to access general, fun/features, inflatable and leisure swimming sessions for free. They do not need to sign up to a membership package for the free swimming, however it will be the responsibility of the child to prove, if questioned, they are under 16.

The free sessions do not include aerobics, aqua natal, aqua tots, parent/toddler sessions or children’s swimming lessons.

Wiltshire Council is working with Calne and Cricklade leisure centres to  offer the scheme at these two facilities so that young people in both these local communities can benefit from this opportunity at their local pool.

The free swimming will operate during the following Wiltshire Council holiday periods: July 24 – August 31, October 25 – November 2, December 24 – January 4 2013, February 11 – 15 2013 and March 25 – 31 2013.