A total of 62,737 free swims were enjoyed by children across the kingdom during the summer holidays at Fife leisure centres thanks to cash from Fife Council.
Funding was made available in this year’s budget to reinstate free swim sessions for school-aged youngsters during the holidays.
Councillor Mark Hood, Fife Council executive committee member, said: “The good weather didn’t put youngsters off heading to the Fife Sports & Leisure Trust leisure centres, with numbers up at all pools.
“With an average of almost 10,500 swims per week, I think the figure speaks for itself it was obviously a winner with children and parents alike.
“The brand new Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes enjoyed a busy few weeks of free swimming sessions when it opened last month there were more than 8,800 sessions there alone.
“We know how important it is to encourage children and young people to take part in regular physical activity; in turn it can build a good foundation for health and well-being into adulthood, which is one of the most significant opportunities we can offer them.”
Swims this summer were up by just over 21,000 (a 50% increase) compared to last year’s Quid-a-Kid swim offer. Even when the sessions at Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre are deducted from this (the Fife Institute was closed last year), the numbers are still up by almost 12,300 (or 29%).
Ed Watson, who is chief executive of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: “The trust is committed to encouraging participation in physical activity and sports in young people, so its Splash out for Nowt and Quid-a-Kid initiatives are vital to engaging with parents and youngsters.”
As well as Fife Sports & Leisure Trust’s wider activity programme, Fife Council had a range of sporting activities on offer throughout the summer, including Active Fife Commonwealth Sports Camps, Outdoor Education programmes and local activities with a sporting focus.