Celebrations as Government’s legacy means free swimming for all

From April 1 this year children and young people aged 16 and under, from across Blackburn with Darwen, will be able to enjoy free swimming as part of a new £140m Government initiative to boost sport and fitness and to ensure a lasting sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The free swimming initiative was introduced last year and is the centrepiece of the Government’s ‘Legacy Action Plan – Before, During and After: Making the most of the London 2012 Games’ and in Blackburn with Darwen, it will enhance the £6m re:fresh your health and wellbeing scheme which was introduced last year in a bid to reduce shocking health statistics of people who live in the borough.


It is estimated that up to 40,000 under 16s in Blackburn with Darwen will be eligible for the free swims at the Council’s four pools throughout the year for the next two years.

Councillor Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture and borough play champion said: “This is superb news. Offering free swimming to children and young people is yet another measure of our commitment to helping our residents make a real difference to their lives. Our already ambitious free leisure programme, re:fresh, has paved the way for first-class health opportunities so we are well placed to add yet another string to our bow.

“We already have a wealth of excellent young swimmers who use our pools. And, who knows this initiative may help produce some Olympic standard swimmers from our very own borough!”
Swimming is included in the re:fresh initiative for all adults across the borough and this helped the Council access funding to strengthen the existing programme and expand free swimming all-year-round for those under 16.

An additional part of the Government’s legacy is access to capital funding to improve the customer experience. Improvements including an upgraded PA system at Daisyfield Pools, internal painting and decorating; new carpets and new spectator seating for the small pool viewing area and new lockers and an extension to the car parking at Shadsworth Leisure Centre have already been completed. Further work will be completed in the coming months.

Councillor Law-Riding added: “The additional funding to carry out improvements to our buildings and facilities, along with the work already carried out at our centres will make a big difference to users. It will enhance the facilities used by the growing number of people using this service.”