Four-time Olympic medalist Becky Adlington OBE will open a new swimming facility in Newcastle this month.
The new centre is situated on North Tyne Retail Park in Benton and is designed to offer tailored and unique swimming lessons for little ones between the ages of 0-11. It is set to open on Monday, March 6 and comes at a time when research from Swim England forecasted that 2,000 pools could shut by the year 2030.
To celebrate its opening the centre is offering a week of free introductory swimming lessons for all children aged 0-11 years old from Monday, March 6 2023 until Sunday, March 12 2023.
Read more: Newcastle United supporter, 93, reflects on 'brilliant' trip to Wembley for Carabao Cup Final
Swim! is said to be a modern, clean and family-friendly venue, with expert teachers leading fun lessons with online progress tracking. The centre provides an opportunity for children in Newcastle and the surrounding areas to learn a life skill in swimming, as well as other transferable skills which can help in a child's development, such as confidence, determination, resilience and social skills.
The member-only centre has a viewing lounge with free wifi, charge points, coffee machine and a small play area. The pool is heated to 31 degrees and has fully accessible changing facilities as well as pram park, baby changing, hair dryers and lockers.
Rebecca Adlington is one of the owners at Swim!, alongside fellow Olympians Steve Parry MBE, Adrian Turner and JD gyms. They have dedicated the last twelve years to ensuring children from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to learn to swim.
Rebecca said: "As schools and leisure facilities close across the nation leaving children with less spaces to learn this vital life skill, we need to take action and give all children the opportunity to be safe around water.
"Swimming is an essential life-saving skill and we are determined to break down barriers, whether that be a lack of facilities, teachers or lesson availability, to make sure swimming is accessible for all children. As we fear almost 2,000 swimming pools could shut in the next seven years, we have to make sure our children don't miss out."
The opening of the centre comes as the council in nearby Gateshead has proposed shutting two of its leisure centres as it tries to cut costs. Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swimming Centre are now deemed at highest risk as calls come for locals and centre users to make their views known in a consultation.
Rebecca added: "With the opening of the new centre in Newcastle, children will not only learn to swim, but will gain a whole host of transferable skills sure to benefit them as they grow up. It has been a joy to watch a new swim facility take shape, and I hope it encourages local children to learn to love the water as much as I do.
"Especially after the Commonwealth games last summer. The people across Newcastle love their sport, we just need to give them the facilities to be able to get involved"
To register your interest in a free introductory swimming lesson for your child, please click here.
Read next:
