Caerphilly County Borough Council is to become the first local authority in Wales to extend free swim sessions to past and present members of the Armed Forces.
Other local authorities across Wales will be offering free swim sessions to veterans, but Caerphilly County Borough Council have extended this to include serving Armed Forces personnel who are on leave.
The pilot scheme will allow veterans and current Armed Forces personnel free access to swimming pools across Caerphilly County Borough with a SmartCard from March 1 2013.
The council already offers free swim sessions to youngster aged 16 and under and to people aged 60 and over.
Cllr Dave Poole, cabinet member for community and leisure services, said: “Swimming is a great way for the residents of our county borough to get active which is why we offer so many free swim sessions. By adding Armed Forces free swim sessions to the equation we can provide more members of the community with this fun and easy activity, improving more lifestyles across the county borough.”
Proof of address along with official discharge papers or Royal British Legion documentation with a service number must be taken to a local leisure centre along with a registered SmartCard in order to be eligible for the Armed Forces free swimming initiative.
To become a registered SmartCard holder visit a local leisure centre with proof of ID or call 02920 857061 for more information.