Free pool memberships give 217 Argyll children more chances to practise
A swimming lesson is a start; having somewhere affordable to practise can help keep it going. In Lochgilphead, funding has given 217 children free swimming memberships alongside their lessons.
West Coast Today reports that A’Cruach Windfarm funded memberships for children in MACPool’s Learn to Swim programme, with Ardrishaig Community Trust covering a shortfall as enrolment grew. Staff had noticed that some children attended lessons but rarely returned to practise, with cost among the barriers.
MACPool’s own programme details explain how that extra pool time fits alongside seven stages of core swimming skills and ongoing teacher assessments. The free membership belongs to the named enrolled child and ends if they leave the programme; it does not make the lessons themselves free.
The newspaper reports enthusiastic use, based on staff accounts, rather than measured improvements in swimming ability. Funding beyond 2026 still needs securing. For now, local backing is giving children more chances to return to the water between lessons.
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