Tag Archives: centre-olympic

• Under-16s and over-60s no longer get free time in the pool • ‘This has become a luxury we can no longer afford’ Free swimming for children and pensioners is to be scrapped as part of cost-saving measures. The scheme for the under-16s and over-60s was launched by the Labour government two years ago amid much fanfare as a London 2012 Olympic legacy initiative. But the Sports and Olympics minister, Hugh Robertson, said that the scheme was “a luxury” that could no longer be afforded and has been axed as part of £73m savings made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. “This is not a decision that gives me any pleasure,” Robertson said. “However, the research shows that the great majority of free swimmers were swimming already, and would have paid to swim anyway. With a crippling deficit to tackle and tough decisions to take, this has become a luxury we can no longer afford.” Labour launched the scheme in 2008 as part of a bid to get more people involved in sport by 2012 and claimed their aim was to get England’s swimming pools free to use by the time of the London 2012 Games. Robertson said new research showed the scheme has not delivered value for money nor significantly increased physical activity. He added: “Delivering a legacy from 2012 is one of my top priorities. I want people of all ages and abilities to have opportunities to take part in all kinds of sport, and under our plans to reform the Lottery shares we should see an extra £50m a year going on sports facilities by 2012. “Our plans to deliver a community sports legacy, in partnership with Sport England, are progressing well and we expect to make a full announcement in July.” Other non-sport DCMS projects being cancelled include the planned Stonehenge Visitor Centre and the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Centre. Olympic games 2012 guardian.co.uk

More:
Government cuts hit 2012 Olympic legacy as free swimming is axed