New summer swimming offer from Rotherham Council
FREE swimming for children and young people aged up to 17 has been introduced across Rotherham Council’s four leisure centres.
The deal is now active and will remain in place for the duration of the school summer holidays, aimed providing safe and supervised swimming, while also helping families stay active.
It has been introduced as a method of helping families cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
Adults accompanying children will be required to pay the normal admission charge, but those aged eight and over who meet Places Leisure admission requirements can swim without an accompanying adult.
In addition, free inflatable splash sessions will be available throughout the summer holidays at Rotherham Leisure Complex, Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre and Wath upon Dearne Leisure Centre.
Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Leisure and Green Spaces, said: "We want every child in Rotherham to have the chance to enjoy safe swimming this summer, regardless of their family's circumstances.
"We know that many families are feeling the pinch due to the cost of living at the moment. Hopefully this scheme will help ease the pressure on families as well as providing a fun activity for children during the summer break.
"I hope families will take up this offer and enjoy everything our leisure centres have to offer this summer."
The initiative will provide hundreds of opportunities for children and families to enjoy fun, supervised activities in the water over the summer break.
The Council already supports free swimming opportunities through its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children and young people who are eligible for free school meals. This new initiative extends access to free swimming throughout the summer holidays for all children and young people aged 0-17.
Children and young people who already receive free swimming through an existing Places Leisure membership will continue to be able to access sessions in the usual way.
Information on session times, booking arrangements and swimming offers will be available from Places Leisure and the Council's website and social media channels. Families are encouraged to check availability before travelling as some sessions may be particularly popular.