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Aug 2002 Index

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September 2002

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 new 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 £12.50 a month for an individual and £17.50 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 50pence 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.

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 £12.50 per month for individuals or £17.50 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.

Swimming Clubs In Caithness