Splash About without Splashing Out!

 

Free Swimming for the Under 18's and 60's and over...

From 1 April, people aged 60 and over and under 18 can splash about without splashing out at Purbeck Sports Centre.

Purbeck Sports Centre will offer free swimming to people aged 60 and over and under 18 as part of the Government’s swim4life initiative from 1 April.  The campaign, linked to the nationwide Change4Life campaign, aims to get people to lead more active, healthy lives in the run up to London 2012.  Free swimming will be available in all public sessions (please use this link for the Opening Programme).  Please note that proof of age will be required on each visit, otherwise the adult charge will apply.

Councillor Gary Suttle, Leader of Purbeck District Council said: “I am delighted we are taking part in this Government scheme.  Swimming is a great way for people of all ages to get fit and healthy and we hope this encourages more people to take the plunge”.

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!”

Swimming is one of the most popular ways for people in this country to keep fit. Your body works harder in the water, so 30 minutes in the pool is worth 45 minutes activity on dry land. This is a great way of staying healthy, however good a swimmer you are. And it’s low impact, which makes it great for people who have problems with their joints or find exercise difficult.

Purbeck District Council is one of almost 300 across England to take part in the Government’s free swimming scheme. 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 in 2012.

Purbeck Sports Centre has also received a share of £10 million to modernise and improve pool areas. This will be spent on the renewal of the swimming pool filters and the installation of an automatic chemical dosing system.  This will include the installation of ultra violet water treatment equipment, meaning that chlorine levels can be reduced without affecting the quality of the swimming pool water.  An application for additional funding from this allocation has also been made recently; if successful, the swiming pool changing rooms will be upgraded to a high standard.

Contact: For more information about swimming and the many other activities available, call the Sports Centre on 01929 50 00 00.