Changes announced to free swimming sessions in Wrexham

Changes to free swimming sessions currently available in Wrexham leisure centres are set to change next month.

Following a recent review of the Sports Wales’ Free Swimming Initiative – which looked at how its services could better target groups like young people and the over 60s – the Welsh Government has decided to make some changes to what the service offers and how it works.

As a result there will be a series of changes introduced from Tuesday 1st October at all pools operated by Wrexham Council in partnership with Freedom Leisure and Plas Madoc, which is operated by Splash Magic Community Trust.

The review, which was carried out by UK Research and Consultancy Services, found that the initiative was no longer really fit for purpose – with a “significant decline” in young people involved with the scheme since 2013/14.

While it’s got thousands of people swimming since its inception in 2003, the amount of young people benefiting from the scheme has been in significant decline since 2013/14.

It also found that only six per cent of the targeted over 60s demographic currently access the scheme.

As a result the Welsh Government has decided to make some changes to the scheme, with a reduction in the overall budget and a drop in the amount of sessions available.

Under the changed objectives, the scheme will focus on young people and people over the age of 60 from areas of deprivation, and making sure people who traditionally might not have accessed the services have the chance to learn a new life skill, and start swimming more frequently.

The free swimming offer at pools in Wrexham will be revised to the following hours:

Freedom Leisure Pools

Under 16s

One session per week, per pool, throughout all 52 weeks of the year at:

Chirk – Sunday, 2pm to 3pm
Gwyn Evans – Sundays, 10am to 11am
Waterworld – Saturdays, 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Over 60s

Two hours per week, across 39 weeks (availability will be affected by holiday periods) at:

Gwyn Evans – Thursdays, 3pm to 4pm; and Fridays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Waterworld – Tuesdays, 9am to 10am; and Fridays, 2pm to 3pm.
Chirk – Mondays, 2.30pm to 3.30pm; and Wednesdays, 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Splash Community Trust

Under 16s

One session per week, throughout all 52 weeks of the year at:

Plas Madoc Leisure Centre – Saturdays 3pm to 4pm

Overs 60s

Two hours per week, across 39 weeks (availability will be affected by holiday periods) at:

Plas Madoc Leisure Centre – Mondays 10.30am to 11.30am; and Tuesdays 11am until noon.

Further updates and details are available on Freedom Leisure’s website, and at the website for Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

Additional under-16 splash sessions will be offered during the summer holidays.

Commenting on the changes, Cllr Andrew Atkinson, lead member for youth services and anti-poverty, with responsibility for leisure, said: “We will work alongside partners to ensure the free swimming sessions remain accessible, and will make sure that users are aware of the new times and offerings as the changes take place.

“We will also work alongside Sports Wales to promote the scheme to traditional hard-to-reach groups, to make sure they can benefit from the scheme – in line with the new priorities set out by Welsh Government.”