To be gobsmacked by the price of swimming

[catgirl1976]

I have a rare day off with DS, who is 3.

Dsis has an 8 month old and suggested we take them swimming together. She is a member of a local gym based on a holiday park type thing. There's a nice pool with fountains and slides etc.

So off we go. DSis doesn't have to pay as she's a member.

I walk up to the desk and say 1 adult and a 3 year old for swimming please.

That will be FIFTEEN POUNDS please.

Is it just me or is that insane? I paid and we had a nice time (40 minutes). You only get 1.5 hours and then you have to leave and DNephew needed a nap at 3pm so 40 minutes it was.

I'm still reeling a bit. Is that normal pricing nowadays?

Also - the pool is not the gym pool IYSWIM, there is a proper swimming pool for the gym (for proper swimming) and then the pool with fountains for the public and holidaymakers

Our 'council' have sold out to Better...it would cost £13.50 for me, OH and DS and the only session is a 55 minutes at 6 ish

Bloody hell! Pools should be free for everyone.

That's a lot. We pay around £8 for a family swim which is less than an indoor hellhole play centre and which the dc enjoy far more. We consider that good value; an excellent bad weather activity.

Why should pools be free for everyone?

Someone has to pay for their upkeep and the staff's salary, Who do you suggest should foot the bill?

You would have to pay a similar amount at our private health/leisure centre but you could stay all day if you wanted.

In general I agree, but I've just managed to book 5 days of 1hr lessons for my DDs in the Easter holidays for £1 per lesson per child. I am over the moon.

Council gym4.85 each kids pay from4
15 a time for us as a family suddenly 60 a month for weekly swimming at a council pool makes fancy gym at 100 look almost reasonable!!

Free pool - pay for gym, swimming lessons, keep fit classes, squash courts, cafe etc.

It is a very accessible activity for people of all ages and abilities.

Our council run 6 lane pools each cost between approx. £350,000 to £500,000 per year to run.

And the authorities are always bleating on about the importance of exercise.