Free swimming plan for Chester’s young & old

Sep 3 2008 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

OVER 60s and under 16s could be looking forward to making a splash if city leaders take up free swimming cash on offer from the government.

The move is due to be considered at a meeting of the Town Hall Executive tomorrow (Thursday, September 4).

Executive member for culture and community, Eric Plenderleath (Con, Tarvin) says sport and health ministers are planning to introduce free swimming in all public pools for people who are over 60 or under 16.

Funding has also been allocated for the modernisation of swimming pools run by councils which take part in the scheme.

Chester would be in line for a subsidy of £39,228 a year to allow free swims for the over 60s for two years starting in 2009/2010.

The money which would be allocated to under 16s is not yet known.

If the council takes part in the initiative, it would be eligible for a share of a £10m kitty for swimming pool improvements this year and would be able to bid for money from a £50m allocation for 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

The ultimate aim, Cllr Plenderleath suggests, is to extend free swimming to all by the London Olympics in 2012.

Sports officers at the city council do not believe the City Baths would be eligible as the scheme only applies to casual swimming in public sessions although further clarification is being sought.

Cllr Plenderleath is recommending the city council should accept the over 60s offer and also submit an expression of interest for under 16s by a September 15 deadline.

This would allow the Cheshire West and Chester Council, which takes over next Spring, to benefit from funding for both schemes.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has told the city council: “The government is keen to encourage as many local authorities as possible to participate in making swimming free for those aged 60 or over and those aged 16 or under.”