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Over-60s swim for free
OVER-60s could benefit from free swimming sessions if councillors sign up to a government scheme.
The scheme would next provide free swimming for 16-year-olds and under in the run-up to the London Olympics 2012.
If Weymouth and Portland Borough Council signs up to phase one of the scheme, a yearly grant of £24,065 will be given to fund it during 2009/10 and the same amount for 2010/11.
Phase one would provide free swimming for the 60-plus age group at Weymouth Swimming Pool at any time of the year within normal opening hours.
The swimming sessions are being encouraged by the council because of the many health benefits the sport offers the age group.
Should the council's management committee give the scheme the go-ahead, an estimated £4,000 shortfall would be covered by SLM, the swimming pool management company.
Leisure spokesman Councillor Brendan Webster said: "There are some longer-term issues to address, not least how free swimming might be sustained, bearing in mind there is no commitment from government to support the scheme beyond 2011.
"However, I am confident that we should support this first phase - free swimming for our residents over 60 will increase their participation and have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.
"We are firmly committed to securing a lasting legacy for the wellbeing of the community from the games and the free swimming initiative is very much in line with our legacy goals."
The second phase of the scheme would try to get more of the 16 and under age group in the pool.
The number of children in the borough enrolled in swimming lessons has recently quadrupled to more than 1,600 a week, Coun Webster said.
He added: "Many in this age group already participate; however, further uptake of swimming by this group would be welcome."
The scheme, which has been recommended to councillors, will be voted upon during the management committee meeting on September 2.
12:45pm Wednesday 27th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 5:57pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[bold]Quote[/bold] The swimming sessions are being encouraged by the council because of the many health benefits the sport offers the age group.
[bold]Reply[/bold] It's also [bold]more economical[/bold] to have a [bold]higher number[/bold] of people in the pool at any one time as the transfer of [bold]Body Heat[/bold] [bold]bold[/bold] from each person is [bold]very considerable indeed[/bold] to help keep running [bold]costs down.[/bold]
[bold]Elderly[/bold] people would most likely stay for [bold]Coffee and a bite to eat[/bold] hence an [bold]added Revenue Stream[/bold] straight away.
[bold]Well, done[/bold] whoever thought of this one. [bold]But hang on[/bold] there. Wait till the [bold]Dozy Tories[/bold] start to complain about the (so called added costs)?
Quote The swimming sessions are being encouraged by the council because of the many health benefits the sport offers the age group.
Reply It's also
more economical to have a
higher number of people in the pool at any one time as the transfer of
Body Heat from each person is
very considerable indeed to help keep running
costs down.
Elderly people would most likely stay for
Coffee and a bite to eat hence an
added Revenue Stream straight away.
Well, done whoever thought of this one.
But hang on there. Wait till the
Dozy Tories start to complain about the (so called added costs)?
Posted by: free wessex, dorset on 7:57pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Why not extend the offer to the obese people as well, Brown and his mob are always
going on about us over weight people being a burden on the NHS I would swimm as often as I could in the pool rather than the mucky sea except at the moment it costs money every time. Perhaps get it on prescription?
Why not extend the offer to the obese people as well, Brown and his mob are always
going on about us over weight people being a burden on the NHS I would swimm as often as I could in the pool rather than the mucky sea except at the moment it costs money every time. Perhaps get it on prescription?
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 8:37pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote]The scheme would next provide free swimming for 16-year-olds and under in the run-up to the London Olympics 2012.[/quote] Why not do this now ?
2012 will go before you know it.. like the BYPASS ....
The scheme would next provide free swimming for 16-year-olds and under in the run-up to the London Olympics 2012.
Why not do this now ?
2012 will go before you know it.. like the BYPASS ....
Posted by: yogi, weymouth on 8:41pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]free wessex[/bold] wrote:
Why not extend the offer to the obese people as well, Brown and his mob are always going on about us over weight people being a burden on the NHS I would swimm as often as I could in the pool rather than the mucky sea except at the moment it costs money every time. Perhaps get it on prescription?[/quote] Thats because if you let in all the fat people in there be no room for all the over 60's and no pies left in the canteen.
JUST EAT LESS....
free wessex wrote:
Why not extend the offer to the obese people as well, Brown and his mob are always going on about us over weight people being a burden on the NHS I would swimm as often as I could in the pool rather than the mucky sea except at the moment it costs money every time. Perhaps get it on prescription?
Thats because if you let in all the fat people in there be no room for all the over 60's and no pies left in the canteen.
JUST EAT LESS....
Posted by: free wessex, dorset on 8:08am Thu 28 Aug 08
[quote][bold]yogi[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]free wessex[/bold] wrote: Why not extend the offer to the obese people as well, Brown and his mob are always going on about us over weight people being a burden on the NHS I would swimm as often as I could in the pool rather than the mucky sea except at the moment it costs money every time. Perhaps get it on prescription?[/quote] Thats because if you let in all the fat people in there be no room for all the over 60's and no pies left in the canteen. JUST EAT LESS....[/quote] and INCENTIVE TO EXERCISE!
yogi wrote:
free wessex wrote: Why not extend the offer to the obese people as well, Brown and his mob are always going on about us over weight people being a burden on the NHS I would swimm as often as I could in the pool rather than the mucky sea except at the moment it costs money every time. Perhaps get it on prescription?
Thats because if you let in all the fat people in there be no room for all the over 60's and no pies left in the canteen. JUST EAT LESS....
and INCENTIVE TO EXERCISE!
Posted by: Ask Archie, Weymouth on 11:18am Thu 28 Aug 08
Free swimming,free buses,cheap fish and chips at the chippy.I wish I was 60.(only joking)
Free swimming,free buses,cheap fish and chips at the chippy.I wish I was 60.(only joking)
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