10,000 free swims success

Little Isla Grace, accompanied by her parents Zoe and Aaron, was the lucky 10,000th visitor to enjoy free time in the pool at the town’s Mill House Leisure Centre on Friday 1 September - the final day of this year’s scheme.

Isla Grace and her family have been awarded an exclusive pass, allowing them to enjoy unlimited free family swims at Mill House until the end of the year.

Now in its fifth year, the free swims scheme has once again proven to be a huge success, welcoming a total of 10,075 visitors – an increase of 39% on last year’s figures for the same period.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Leader of Hartlepool Council, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this year’s amazing response from the local community to the free swims scheme, which has been more popular than ever before.

“To welcome our 10,000th free swims visitor through the doors on the final day of this year’s scheme is incredible.

“We first introduced free swims for under 16s during the summer holiday break to encourage all children to be active in their early years, resulting in a higher chance of them staying fit and healthy as they grow older.

“It is clear to see that this scheme is so important to not just Hartlepool youngsters, but encouragingly their parents too, with many accompanying their children on the buses or making their own way to Mill House to swim with their children.

“This free scheme enables local children to swim in a safe environment, while keeping active and having fun, and we hope to welcome even more children next year.”

Under the scheme, youngsters under the age of 16 could swim for free on weekdays until 1.30pm at the town's Mill House Leisure Centre.

Hartlepool Borough Council also provided free bus transport to and from Mill House for under 16s with pick-up points from every school across the town as part of the free swims offering.