15 September 2008, 08/207
Free swimming for older people
Residents 60 and over will enjoy free swimming at two
Council-owned pools in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale next year.
West Lancashire Community Leisure Trust has decided to embrace
the Government initiative to offer this fantastic health
opportunity to anyone 60 and over who live in the district.
So from 1 April 2009, Nye Bevan in Skelmersdale and Park Pool in
Ormskirk will be offering free swimming for residents 60 and over
at their facilities for this two-year pilot scheme.
The Government has given some funding towards the scheme and the
Trust has also agreed to contribute towards the costs of such a
beneficial initiative for the older generation.
Bill Lloyd, Chairman of the West Lancashire Community Leisure
Trust, said: "Swimming is such a great sport for people of all ages
to enjoy and we realise that older people will really benefit from
a healthier lifestyle if they have free swimming opportunities. We
are delighted that we have been able to help fund and support this
Government initiative and we hope that we can expand the free
swimming opportunities to other age groups in the future."
The Trust is hoping to try to extend the proposals for free
swimming to the under 16’s in the future if it gets enough
Government funding.
Cllr Geoff Hammond, Portfolio Holder for Community Services,
said: "By taking such a positive health initiative forward and
agreeing to help fund free swimming shows how committed the Trust
is in providing leisure opportunities for all ages. In fact, since
the Trust took over the management of the Council’s leisure
facilities in 2005 it has been one big success story and testimony
to good partnership-working."
Why not visit your local centre and experience the health
benefits for yourself. For details about the centres at Park Pool,
Nye Bevan, Skelmersdale, Banks and Burscough you can visit our
sports centres
page and www.westlancsleisure.com.
Related information
> Park
Pool, Ormskirk
> Nye Bevan Pool, Skelmersdale
> Aqua fun