A Smart Card Revolution At
Highland Leisure Facilities
When were you last at your local swimming pool or library. If it has
been a while then you have not seen the great flexibilty and fantastic
offers on entry to all of the Highland Council Leisure facilities.
Swimming Pools in particular have introduced great deals on admission to
not just swimming pools but fitness rooms, sunbeds and more.
The smart cards can
also be used as your library card. They offer great deals for individuals
and family groups allowing entry to facilities at much reduced rates if
you attend regularly.
The new set up comes under the
heading oh "High Life" and covers a pricing policy for every member of the
community no matter what their circumstances. From £13.00 a month for an
individual and £18.00 for a family the new High Life cards offer great
savings over single entry payments. In fact a family of four using the
facilities three times a week would save over £40 a month. By making a
monthly payment by direct debit or one annual lump sum the facilities are
assure a regular cash flow and users have the low payments spread evenly
over the year. Family membership requires that families live at the same
address, and is defined as 2 adults plus children.
The High Life Card for
frequent users of the centre and allows unlimited access to all centre run
activities which includes Swimming, swimming lessons, fitness suite,
sunbed (subject to limits on use for health reasons), aquaerobics and in
Thurso only the steam room.
For people on low incomes such
as pensioners or the unemployed there are special deals allowing access to
facilities for only 50 pence a time. This section of the new schem covers
anyone in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income based)
and Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. A holisitic
approach to its customers has led the Leisure Department to consider that
people on low incomes may need other help and their leaflet also directs
people to other advice centres to ensure they have all the benefits they
are entitled to in an effort to ensure they do not miss out on things like
sports and other activities for a healthy lifestyle due to lack of money.
They point out that even qualifying for a very small amount of benefit -
seemingly not worth much can open doors to many other savings - such as
the low cost access to leisure facilities. anyone in doubt should contact
local advice centres such as CAB.
There are also at present 2 Happy
hours in both pools this is a period when any non member can have a swim
or use of the fitness suite for 50p. Wed 3.30 - 4.30pm and Saturday
1.00 - 2.00pm
But the new smart cards have many
other benefits. Once families have the card parents can pay money into
the card and ask that the pool restricts the mount children can spend in
Leisure facility shops or snack bars. Parents can pay in any amount but
smaller amounts are recommended in case the card is lost when the money on
the card is also lost. However no one else can use the card as it carries
photographic identification. If cards are found they can be handed in and
will be returned in due course to the rightful person.
As the High Life smart card is able
to be used anywhere in the Highlands it is worth taking it with you on
trips with the kids where they may spend an enjoyable hours letting off
steam while you go shopping or attend to other business. See below for
list of places where the High life Card can be used.
In order to use the fitness suite
you have to have an induction which will cost £2.50
What Does It cost To Use The
Leisure Facilities?
The Highlife Cards cost £13.00 per month for individuals or £18.00 for
Families and this can be paid by direct debit for 12 months or
alternatively the year can be paid in one lump sum.
For people on various benefits the Budget deal of 50pence per activity may
be better.
If you use the facilities only occasionally you can still pay for each
activity as you go. There are reduced prices for over 60's and under
18's.
Where the High Life Card Can Be
Used
Thurso Swimming Pool,
Millbank Road, Thurso, KW14 8PS - 01847 893260
Wick Swimming Pool, Burn Street, Wick, KW1 5EH - 01955 603711
Alness Swimming Pool, Alness Academy, Alness, IV17 OUY- 01349 882456
Black Isle Leisure Centre, Deans Road, Fortrose, IV10 8TJ - 01381 621521
Dingwall Leisure Centre, Tulloch Avenue, Dingwall, IV15 9LH - 01349 864226
Gairloch Leisure Centre, Achtercairn Road, Gariloch, IV21 2BP - 01445
712345
Invergordon Leisure Centre, Academy road, Invergordon, IV18 OLB - 01349
853689
Inverness Aquadome, Bught Park, Inverness, IV3 5SS - 01463 667514
(casual use of pools and track only)
Isle of Skye Swimming Pool, Camanachd Square, Portree, IV51 9BW - 01478
612655
Lochbroom Leisure Centre, Quay Street, Ullapool, IV26 2TU - 01854 612884
Nairn Leisure, Marine Road, Nairn, IV12 4EA - 01667 453061
Sutherland Swimming Pool, Back Road, Golspie, KW10 6RA - 01408 633437
TRACC, Hartfield Road, Tain, IV19 1DX - 01862 893767
In addition cards can be used at
local libraries to borrow books as all your information will be contained
on the card.
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