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Free swimming in Three Rivers to continue after the summer holidays
FREE swimming for pensioners and young people will not be cancelled at the end of the summer, Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) announced today (18).
The council previously pledged to continue offering free swimming at three pools across the district, including William Penn Leisure Centre in Mill End, only until the end of the school holidays, amid fears the government would axe the ã70,000 grant funding necessary for the scheme to continue.
But the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has now promised a reduced ã28,000 grant, meaning the scheme can carry on through the autumn, with TRDC making up the shortfall in funding.
However, the scheme's future will depend on the number of people who use it and also on further cuts to council funding, expected to be announced in October.
Three Rivers District Council cabinet member for leisure and community, Chris Whately-Smith, said: "Between April and July 20,000 free swims were enjoyed by pensioners and youngsters in Three Rivers. The scheme benefits people on a tight budget especially .
"The Council has saved ã1.24M over the last two years through increased efficiency, a staff recruitment freeze and by providing back office services jointly with Watford Council.
"But all budgets are under increasing pressure - rather than giving an arbitrary deadline, we are determined to keep free swimming for as long as we possibly can.
"We remain committed to our other free and low cost leisure activities including the free holiday gym scheme for under 19s."
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