End in sight for free kids’ swimming deal
... but Wishaw Press win reprieve for scheme
Free swimming for children during the school holidays is set to be axed, the Wishaw Press can reveal.
North Lanarkshire Leisure told the Wishaw Press that they have to scrap the scheme to save money.
Under a radical shake up, this will be the last summer that free swimming for children will take place at Wishaw Sports Centre, the Tryst in Cumbernauld, John Smith Pool in Airdrie, Sir Matt Busby Sport Complex in Bellshill and the pool in Kilsyth.
And free swimming for children over the school summer break was axed at Shotts Leisure Centre and all other smaller swimming pools in the local authority area.
But following the Wishaw Press’s intervention, free swims this summer were extended to include all NL Leisure pools including Shotts.
Shotts councillor Tommy Cochrane said: “This has only happened following the pressure of the Wishaw Press.
“I would congratulate the Wishaw Press in making this happen but I am concerned about the long-term future of this scheme.
“It is going to be another cut from the Labour-Tory administration.
“There is high deprivation in areas across North Lanarkshire.
“There are many children who come from poor backgrounds and their parents can’t afford to take their children on holidays.
“Access to free swimming would give them something to do over the summer and keep them off the streets.”
After the Wishaw Press stepped into the row, council leader Jim Logue asked North Lanarkshire Leisure to include free swims this summer to all seven swimming pools across the local area.
He said: “I understand people’s frustrations that the free summer swim scheme was available in some places but not others. As soon as I heard of this I asked NL Leisure to review their policy and I’m delighted that they have chosen to extend this to include all of their venues with swimming pools.”
The scheme is available to under-16s with Kids Kards on Mondays to Fridays 11am to 1pm from July 3 to August 11.
Before last week’s U- turn, Emma Walker, general manager of NL Leisure, told the Wishaw Press: “Unfortunately, it would not be financially viable to run free swims at all of our swimming pools due to the high costs associated with this.
“In order to keep this great offer running for summer 2017 we have managed to secure time slots Monday-Friday at five of our great swimming pools across North Lanarkshire.
“These include Kilsyth, the Tryst in Cumbernauld, John Smith Pool in Airdrie, Sir Matt Busby Sport Complex in Bellshill and Wishaw Sports Centre.
“While we understand that people may be disappointed that their closest swimming pool may not be offering free swims, we have done our very best to cover various areas of North Lanarkshire.
“We hope that as many people as possible can take advantage of our great free swims offer this summer, as unfortunately this will be the last year in which free swims will be available.
“We understand this will cause disappointment to many, however, please be aware we have not taken this decision lightly. Regrettably, this decision has been made due to the financial pressures that face North Lanarkshire Leisure.”