Winchester Leisure Centre criticised for charging children to use pool

The centre, managed by Everyone Active, has introduced a charge for under threes to use the pool, hitting parents with a £2 charge for one hour, while also introducing a “junior” price of £3.30 for children aged between 3 and 15. The adult charge of £5.40 has remained unchanged. 
This means a family of four going swimming will now need to fork out £17.40 - or nearly £20 if they also have a baby with them. 

The decision, which came into effect on April 1, has faced criticism over the summer holidays.

Cllr Sue Cook said: “To be charging under threes is just absurd. It really is, and they could have timed it so much better. Did they have to do it?
"I’m sure they did because of ongoing costs, but there we are trying to encourage our youth of today to get fit and now we are slamming parents with an additional charge.”

READ MORE: World champion Adam Peaty trains young swimming stars at Winchester race clinic

Cllr Cook was also frustrated that Everyone Active does not offer a family ticket for users. 

She added: “Two parents, if they're not members, it’s £5.40 each. Then if they’ve got two or three children it’s a lot of money and we’re all watching our pennies.”

Emma Back, chief executive of the Winchester Sport, Art and Leisure Trust (SALT), a charitable trust that was set up to promote health and fitness in the city and campaigned for the new leisure centre, said: “The ability to swim is a critical life skill, which promotes access to fun, fitness and water safety.

"Enjoying the water from a young age is an important first step towards learning to swim. For this reason, it is vital that all children are able to access public pool sessions, as well as high quality swimming instruction, regardless of family circumstance.”

Winchester residents have also criticised the charges.

Parents Matt and Ellie Ormrod were at the leisure centre this week. 

They told the Chronicle: "It’s not great, is it? We think it should be free under a certain age anyway, especially if they are learning to swim.

Matt Ormrod (Image: Newsquest)“There’s not enough for young children here as it is.”

Another leisure centre user Emma Street said: “I think it is understandable, the cost of everything is going up. But it’s a shame it might make healthy activities less affordable.”

SEE ALSO: Exhibition celebrating pioneering American artist coming to city centre gallery

Rebecca Fields was more positive about the costs. She said: “I think it’s alright. Everything is getting more expensive, isn’t it?

Rebecca Fields said that the changes were yet to really impact her (Image: Newsquest)“It hasn’t really impacted me, it’s only £2. If it was anymore, I would not go as regularly. If you had more kids, it might be quite expensive.”

Alison Lewis, area contract manager for Everyone Active, defended the charges saying they were needed to ensure they could provide a quality service. 

She said: “Much like the whole country, we are feeling the effects of a significant increase in utility costs. In order to continue to provide a high level of customer satisfaction and efficiently deliver our swimming programme, a small price increase took effect from April 1, 2023, for swimming sessions at Winchester Sport & Leisure Park.

“Since Covid, under-fives have swum for free at our centres and this was an increase we strongly wished to avoid, but unfortunately it has been forced upon us by the challenging economic climate.”