The Lincolnshire Guide > News > Lincoln free swimming scheme to end this summer

Lincoln free swimming scheme to end this summer

Lincoln’s free swimming initiative will close down at the end of July, following the government’s announcement that they are to cease funding the scheme nationally.

Lincoln's programme of free swimming for people aged 16 and under or 60 and over was launched in April 2009 at Yarborough Leisure Centre and at the City of Lincoln Academy (Sundays only).  In its first year the scheme attracted more than 50,000 free swims.

However, the City of Lincoln Council made it clear from the scheme’s inception that it would only be able to provide free swimming for as long as the government was able to provide funding.  Funding for the scheme was originally agreed through to the end of March 2011, but the funding will now end on 31st July this year. 

Portfolio holder for Health and Recreation at the City Council, Councillor Alistair Williams said:

"We are obviously disappointed to receive the news that the funding to support this initiative has needed to be stopped in advance of the original timetable.  We always knew that the funding was going to end, but it had been intended to run until the end 31st March 2011, and so we have planned and marketed the free swimming initiative on that basis.

However, the decision to stop this funding now is not totally unexpected in the context of the financial difficulties being expressed by the government, and we would ask the public to be patient and understand why it is necessary to take this step at this time.

We are now in talks with our partners to discuss how we can ensure that the shortening of the free swimming programme is as smooth as possible."

Free swimming will continue through to the end of July and residents are advised to take advantage while they can.

Article Published: 21/06/2010

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