Free swimming returns for half-term – as visits tip 50,000 mark

Dudley Council bosses announced the scheme last July in a bid to encourage youngsters to stay active, keep fit and help beat the boredom during school breaks.

There have been 55,778 visits to the three centres by youngsters since July 2018.

Children who live in the borough from babies right up to 16-year-olds are eligible to swim for free at Dudley, Halesowen and Crystal leisure centres during public swimming times.

Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said:

I am absolutely delighted that the free swimming scheme has proved so popular with the young people in our borough.

To have clocked up more than 50,000 visits since last summer is amazing.

I would urge young people to continue taking advantage of the offer over the half-term break.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:

It’s very pleasing to see there has been such an encouraging take-up of the free swimming offer since we launched it.

As a council we are committed to providing the very best leisure facilities for our residents.

In our budget plans this week we have pledged to spend more than £30 million on a brand new leisure centre in Dudley and big improvements for Halesowen and Crystal.

Children or their parents can register youngsters to take advantage of the offer at www.freeswimindudley.co.uk. If children are already registered they do not need to be registered again as codes can be re-sent if requested from the website. Further information, including frequently asked questions, is also available on the website.