With decisions on the governments scheme for free swims for over 60's being taken by councils across Dorset the bosses of the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre in Wimborne has pre-empted any likely change by cutting over Fiftiesswim sessions.  this is ahead of a meeting by East Dorset District Council where members have been advised to oppose the scheme.  This is inline with other authorities who are concerned about funding for the scheme by central government.

 The scheme was the government'ssporting  legacy  plan to the run-up to the London Olympics in 2012 and beyond.  Encouraging over 60's to swim ministers say will give pensioners a more healthy lifestyle.

But now in Wimborne the over 50's swim sessions that previously have been getting curtailed have now come to the end completely and regulars are extremely unhappy.One 62 year old said that she had enjoyed the over 50's sessions for eight years and sya that many mature swimmers may put their swimwear away for good.  Having our own sessions was excellent as many are not confident or strong swimmers and were unable to compete in the water with younger faster swimmers.

In support of this claim, other mature swimmers said that within our own sessions we could do our own thing and not get in other people's way.  Now if we want to swim we will have to go to general swim times mixing with mums and young kids.  Plus other swimmers cut across lanes and jump into the water from the sides making  a nuisance of themselves.  Now only two to three regulars out of thirty go swimming.

The Leisure Centre is operated under agreement for dual use - Queen Elizabeth School and the District Council.  The school has priorty over swim times and due to extra educational demand the availability of swimming hours to the public has had to be reduced, therefore the council has been forced to cut the amount of time the pool is open to it's customers.

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