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15/09/09 : Labour Reading to provide free swimming for under-16s :
Children under 16 across the Borough will be able to swim for free in the Borough's swimming pools, thanks to Government funding under the "Sport for All" programme linked to the 2012 Olympics.
The offer will apply in Academy Sport Leisure Centre, Central Pool, Meadway Sports Centre and Arthur Hill Pool and the initial funding runs until March 2011.
Neighbouring Tory Councils in West Berkshire and Wokingham turned the opportunity down, but Reading negotiated extra funding that was needed to make the scheme viable, and can also now apply for capital to improve its pools.
Labour's Lead Councillor for Culture & Sport Graeme Hoskin, who will be asking the Cabinet on 28 September to agree the deal, says "Reading already provides free swimming for the under-16s in the school holidays, and this extra funding will mean we can extend that to the full 52 weeks, which is great news for our youngsters. Swimming is good fun and good exercise - and easy to carry on in later life.
"I was sorry we couldn't bring this in when we introduced free swimming for the over-60s, but the money wasn't right. Labour Reading battled to overcome that obstacle, our Tory neighbours just couldn't be bothered. But we want to make Reading a great place to grow up in."
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