Pool could allow free entry forover-60s

A decision todayis expected to provide free sessions in the Fred Lyons Pool at the Arun Leisure Centre for that age group.

The trustees of Inspire Leisure, which runs leisure schemes around the Arun district, are expected to use their latest meeting to agree to join a government session which wipes out fees for senior citizen swimmers for two years.

Those under 16 will also benefit from the free pool time if the trustees' decision is positive.

Cllr Paul Dendle, Arun District Council's representative among the trustees, said he had spoken to Inspire's chairman, Mike Dixon, who stated he was happy to take part in the government's programme.

He said at the council's cabinet meeting on Monday: "Within some time controls, the scheme could be very useful to us and will not necessarily dilute income.

If the chairman's view reflects the position of the rest of the trust, then in principle I don't have a problem with that."

But he said it would have to be understood that the government's funding to provide the free swimming was only for two years.

"What happens in two years' time happens then, but we have to make it clear as a trust and a council that, if we take on the free swimming, it will be for a period of two years."

Current fees to swim in the Fred Lyons Pool are 2.60 for adults and senior citizens who are members of the leisure centre and 4.50 and 4.10 for non-members. The fees for u-18s are 1.80 (members) and 3.30 (non-members).

The government's intention is to increase participation in sport in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics. It comes after a gold medal-winning performance by British swimmers at the recent Olympics.

But Cllr Dendle criticised the government's offer as gimmicky and a political attempt to climb aboard the Olympic bandwagon.

The government has offered 66,354 to provide free swimming for the over-60s in the Arun district for one year. This is based on their numbers in the population. No indication has been given about the funding for the u-16s or the amount to be available in the programme's second year. This will not be known until September 30.

Those who offer the free swimming will be able to share a 60m fund for capital improvements to swimming pools.

Whatever money is received will be paid to the district council, which will have to pass it on to Inspire.

The free sessions will be subject to conditions on the use of the pool by those taking advantage of the offer. This will mean they will not take precedence over paid-for activities such as club swimming sessions.

Arun's cabinet members agreed to support the scheme provided the grant made up for the loss of income from those who would otherwise have paid to swim.

But this was subject to today's decision by Inspire. If Inspire decides against taking part, council leader Cllr Gill Brown will urgently decide how to proceed before the government's September 15 deadline for responses.

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