Nottingham City Council will introduce free public swimming for the over 60s as part of the Government’s free swimming scheme, and has placed an expression of interest to offer free swimming for those aged under 16.  These initiatives aim to encourage more people to be physically active and will help to build interest in swimming in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nottingham City Council, along with all other local authorities, has been given the opportunity to take up a Government grant to introduce free public swim sessions to those aged 60 or over.  The City Council has confirmed that it will be taking up this grant and will provide free swimming for the over 60s in all eight of its pools from 1 April 2009 for a period of two years.

Government research shows that swimming is the most popular participation activity for the over 60s, with 7% taking part in swimming at least once a month.  Swimming is a great form of exercise, giving a variety of health benefits including building muscle strength, endurance and cardio-vascular fitness. As a low impact activity, it is ideal for the elderly and those recovering from injury.

Providing free swim sessions for the over 60s is just the beginning, and with the Government also offering local authorities the chance to apply for a grant to supply free swimming for those aged 16 and under the future of public swimming looks bright.  Swimming is a popular activity for children, and research shows that 38% of 11 - 16 year olds take part in swimming in and out of school at least once a month. 

With this in mind, Nottingham City Council has logged an interest in providing free swims for under 16s, and will make a decision on whether to implement this scheme in October, once the quantity of Government funding has been determined.  If the City Council takes up the grant, public swim sessions will be free for under 16s at the same time as for the over 60s, in April next year.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Leisure and Culture said: "The City Council is keen to harness people's interest in swimming, which has risen recently thanks to Rebecca Adlington's success in Beijing.  The City Council is also keen to take up a Government grant to provide free swimming to the over 60s, and looks forward to the prospect of being able to offer it to under 16s, we hope to be able to make it even easier for these key age groups to visit their local pool for a swim."

If the City Council is successful in attaining these Government grants and offers free swimming to over 60s and under 16s it will also be eligible to apply for an additional pot of money which will be available to invest in the modernisation of existing swimming pools, and would further support the City Council's ongoing investment in the repair and redevelopment of its leisure centres through the Leisure Centre Transformation Programme.

To further develop the opportunities for swimming, the City Council is employing a new Swimming Development Officer, who will work with key partner organisations to support new initiatives for the sport, taking it forward in the lead up to London 2012.