Published 06 October 2022

Free swimming and gym access will once again be provided to children and young people throughout West Dunbartonshire in October as part of the Council's commitment to assisting families with the rising cost of living.

All school children can swim at West Dunbartonshire Leisure facilities for free over the October break from 15-23 October as part of a £1 million cost of living fund established in June. Students between the ages of 12 and 18 can also take advantage of free gym sessions.

It follows the success of an initiative offering free swimming and gym access to pupils to relieve some of the financial stress on families over the summer holidays.

Councillor David McBride, Director of West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, said: “We realise how much more difficult it will be for families this year during the school holidays with rising costs for energy, food and fuel.

“Following on from the success of the free leisure offer in summer, I'm really pleased to see that children and young adults will be offered this access again.”

Depute Council Leader, Councillor Michelle McGinty, who is chairing a cross party Cost of Living Working Group, added: “We recognise that holiday periods can be a really challenging time for families especially this year.

“This initiative will help parents and carers to keep the kids occupied and active at no cost to them during the October break.

“We are committed to supporting our residents through the cost of living crisis and this is a positive example and just one of the actions we are taking.”

The initiative allows all school pupils to swim for free between 11am and 3pm, while free juvenile gym sessions are available to young people aged between 12 and 18 between 12pm and 4pm. The initiatives will run until the schools return on Monday 24 October.

Participants must attend a West Dunbartonshire school or be a resident, and they must have a valid Leisure Card. The first card is issued for free.