Young people in Watford are again being given the chance to get active for free this summer at the town’s two leisure centres.
Everyone Active’s Watford Central and Watford Woodside leisure centres are inviting under 19s to keep active during the school summer holiday with free access to their gyms and swimming pools from Monday 24 July to Thursday 31 August 2023.
The scheme, which has been running since 2009 and is being delivered in partnership with Watford Borough Council, allows young people to use the gym at Watford Leisure Centre Central or Watford Woodside on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2pm (junior induction) and 3pm (free gym session for 11-15 years) following an initial induction.
Swim 4 Everyone sessions will also be free to attend throughout the holiday at the main pool in Watford Central every Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 3pm, and every Monday and Wednesday each hour from 10.30am to 2.30pm for the main pool at Watford Woodside, and from 2.30pm to 3.30pm for the learner pool.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “I am so pleased that we are able to put on a fantastic range of free summer events for local residents. Not only are these good for young people’s health, they also bring people together and can be enjoyed by people from every background. Even though councils face big financial challenges, it is right that we continue to invest in leisure facilities and activities for everyone.”
Leanne Rodriguez-Reid, Sport and Physical Activity Development Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Watford Borough Council once again to offer under 19s in the area free access to our facilities during the summer holidays. It can be a challenge for young people to keep entertained and active during the school break. This initiative enables us to provide them with fun, affordable activity opportunities while helping to improve their health and wellbeing.”
In addition to free access to leisure centres for those under 19, Watford has a variety of great free and affordable activities taking place during the school term break. This includes HAPpy camps in Hertfordshire offering over 40,000 places for children and young people attending local schools and receiving benefits-related free school meals.
There is also the council’s Big Events Programme, a series of sensational summer events for residents and non-residents alike. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking enjoy the magic of the movies at Watford’s very own Big Screen, go wild in the great outdoors with the Wat’s On programme or put your fitness to the test in Big Sports.
For more information on these activities, please visit everyoneactive.com, sportinherts.org.uk and watfordevents.com.