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SPn AUG 2010 CommercialPools
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
The impact of the end of free swimming for under-16s and over-60s on commercial pools all over England will soon become apparent. It could mean extra pressure on pools to find new sources of revenue. Free swimming is due to be axed from the end of July as part of government cuts. The scheme, introduced in April 2009, was due
to run until next March but the Government says it was not good value. They say although 18 million free swims were
taken up in the first year – many of those who took part would have done so anyway, even if they had to pay. Ending the scheme on 31 July will save £40m
of the £140m cost of the scheme. When the scheme was introduced the previous Labour Government said it was aimed at getting people
NEW REVENUE SOURCES ARE NOW VITAL AS FREE SWIMMING IS AXED It also said that over-60s who took part
more physically active, and ensure a lasting legacy for the 2012 Olympics. Consultants PricewaterhouseCooper were
asked to examine the swimming scheme to see if it had increased the number of swimmers and the “health and consequent economic benefits”. Their report said in the first year of the scheme
261 local authorities applied for the programme most of which had offered free swims to children and the over-60s but 64 of which concentrated on the over-60s. The analysis showed that more youngsters
took up the offer than over-60s. It also shows that the scheme encouraged more paying swimmers to take part – for example adults accompanying children. About 138,000 extra paying customers went swimming in the first year of the scheme.
increased their swimming sessions so the number reaching the government- recommended average of 30 minutes exercise a day went up from 66.2% of those surveyed to 78.4%. For under-16s – who are supposed to do 60 minutes exercise a day – 32.9% managed to hit the target after free swimming was introduced, up from 20.7% beforehand. Of swimmers surveyed, 82.5% of the over-60s said they were likely to have gone anyway. Of the under-16s the figure was 72.9%. Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson
said: “The research shows that the great majority of free swimmers were swimming already, and would have paid to swim anyway. With a crippling deficit to tackle and tough decisions to take, this has become a luxury we can no longer afford.”
COULD TUrning yOUr pOOL inTO a gym be The answer?
Looking for something different to attract your swimming pool customers is always a task. A new way to get more use and value from
swimming pools comes in a range of exercise equipment designed for use in the pool to make the most of aqua exercise. It’s the opportunity to turn a pool into a gym.
The principle of the equipment is based on the benefits on how different, easier and relaxing it is to get fit using the buoyancy, resistance and gentle movement of water. Using exercise equipment in water means
there’s no hard impact on legs and muscles, the benefits of buoyancy in the water supports your weight, which reduces the force of stress placed on the joints on land based exercise. The Archimède range is available in the UK from Jointec UK. There’s two products to choose from – a pool treadmill and an aquabike, both made from non-corrosive stainless steel which can be fixed into the water. All you need is a depth of between 1 metre and 1.5 metres to use the equipment.
i for fUrtHer inforMAtion
F jointec UK ( 01444 411411 :
www.swimpools.co.uk
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