Ref: PR1899
Date: 02/09/08

Thousands of people could benefit from free swimming across the district after Wakefield Council agreed to an offer from the government to part subsidise free swimming.

Wakefield Council's cabinet today (Tuesday 2 September) backed a report agreeing to access money to provide free swimming for over 60s and make an expression of interest for free swimming for under 16s.

The Council hopes that both schemes will be rubber-stamped by the government during the next few months and the free provisions are likely to begin in 2009.

By accessing both pots of money, it will also allow the Council to become eligible to apply for extra government funding from 2008/09 to modernise and improve swimming provisions as part of the Council's commitment to healthier, safer and stronger communities.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's deputy leader with responsibility for sport, said: "This is a great opportunity to provide people with free swimming and show our commitment to the people of Wakefield. We want to improve their health and wellbeing through regular participation in sport and physical activity.

"We need to look at this carefully and make sure of the long term benefits, but this is great news and something we feel will be very popular with so many people.

"We aim to maximise these schemes and any subsequent funding it generates will improve services for people across the district."

Ends