Swimming New Zealand backs Auckland Mayor

Swimming New Zealand has supported Auckland Mayor Len Brown's call for free admission to Council swimming pools and the national body is urging other Councils to follow suit.
Len Brown is commissioning a report on the cost, equity and fairness of making admission to all of Aucklandâs 23 Council owned pools free of charge. During Mayor Brown's time as Mayor of Manukau City all pools under his jurisdiction had free entry and he is keen to see that extended throughout the region as part of his pre-election promise.
Swimming New Zealand believes that cutting the admission charge to pools has many benefits and this has been proven in the Wairarapa town of Carterton this summer, where admission to the Carterton outdoor pool is free and attracting up to 450 people a day.
New Zealand has a poor record of drowning, especially over the summer months and opening up pools to the community provides a responsible setting for children to build their confidence.
Swimming New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Byrne says Mayor Brown's policy, and the foresight of officials in Carterton, should be applauded.
"I think it means more children will be swimming in a safer, controlled environment.
"It also means those who are struggling financially during an already stressful period like Christmas have a fun activity they can provide their family for free, and this should be encouraged."
Swimming New Zealand is investing time and money in creating more learn to swim opportunities for young New Zealanders and Byrne says that won't stop.
"It's still essential for resources to go into learning to swim and Swimming New Zealand provides early childhood education, supports learn to swim at its clubs and Quality Swim Schools, and last year launched a revamped primary and intermediate schools' programme, 'State Kiwi Swim Safe', in conjunction with principal partner State Insurance."
"If children are learning to swim through educational programmes and then have ready access to pools during summer holidays, then it's a win-win situation."
Auckland Mayor Len Brown's free swimming plans are the subject of a feature in the January/February 2011 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

http://www.swimmingnz.org.nz