For many families, the summer holidays can be an expensive time of year, especially for those paying for activities for more than one child.
To help with rising costs families are facing, Derry City and Strabane District Council have launched their £1 summer scheme. Kids across the city and district can stay active and entertained throughout the school holidays with a great value offer at Council's leisure facilities being rolled out from July 01 to August 31.
All daytime activities until 5pm will be available for £1 for under 18s, making fitness more open and accessible over the summer months.
Read more: YouTube star Adam B's campaign to encourage young people to open up and talk about their feelings
This includes swimming as well as court activities such as tennis and badminton, 5-a-side, table tennis, basketball, squash, and also pitch activities. The scheme aims to get kids more active and encourage them to try out new activities as part of Council's wider sports development programme.
Council's Director of Health and Community, Karen McFarland, said the offer would be available at Council leisure centres in all local areas throughout the summer. She said: "The £1 summer scheme offers such a wide range of fun activities to suit all ages, and it's a great way to keep children fit in a really fun way," she said.
"It also offers the chance for young people to try out new sports and develop new skills. More importantly the £1 offer doesn't put too much pressure on parents who are looking for new ways of keeping their children entertained over the summer months. Council is committed to promoting health and wellbeing throughout the district and this is a great way to engage with our young people and encourage them to become more active.
"All our centres will be included so the programme will be available to young people right across the district and I would really encourage parents to check out what's available in their area."
The sessions run every day from July 1 to August 31 until 5pm, with final sessions beginning at 4pm, and Saturdays and Sundays until closing. The programme will run at Foyle Arena, Brooke Park Leisure Centre, Melvin Sports Centre, Riversdale Leisure Centre, and Templemore Sports Complex. Activities can only be booked on the day of play and advanced booking for sessions is not applicable.
Over the course of the summer Council will also be running a series of summer camps for children aged 6-13, as well as intensive swim lessons, climbing courses and National Pool Lifeguard courses throughout July and August. Booking for the camps opens this week. Fitness enthusiasts of all ages can also avail of an additional all-inclusive package with the £60 for 60 days promotion which is currently live.
More information can be found here.
READ NEXT:
- Jason Manford hails 'special' Derry crowd who picked him up when he was feeling low
- Derry mum on helping others grieve after losing "beautiful" baby girl to stillbirth
- Derry play park damaged by 'thugs' in vandalism attack
- Tributes paid to Ethan McCourt after six-year-old dies following Castledawson crash
To get the latest breaking news from Co Derry straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
