Merrimack, NH
Litchfield, NH
Amherst, NH
Nashua, NH
Bedford, NH
Londonderry, NH
Manchester, NH
Hollis, NH
Milford, NH
Hudson, NH
Mont Vernon, NH
Brookline, NH
Windham, NH
East Derry, NH
Goffstown, NH
New Boston, NH
Dunstable, MA
Derry, NH
Pelham, NH
Auburn, NH
Wilton, NH
Pepperell, MA
Lyndeborough, NH
Tyngsboro, MA

Hillsborough County, NH
Rockingham County, NH
Middlesex County, MA
Merrimack County, NH
Essex County, MA
Worcester County, MA
Cheshire County, NH
Strafford County, NH
Belknap County, NH
Sullivan County, NH
Suffolk County, MA
Norfolk County, MA
York County, ME

Swimming pool closures key to drop in swimming standards
Indoor pools gaining popularity
Council mulls over swimming pool site
Cats and pools
Swimming Pool beneficial to your health
Mixing dogs and pools

Merrimack, New Hampshire Leisure and Entertainment Directory

Merrimack, New Hampshire Amusements

Merrimack, New Hampshire Art Galleries

Merrimack, New Hampshire Bars

Merrimack, New Hampshire Bowling

Merrimack, New Hampshire Brain Freeze

Merrimack, New Hampshire Coffee Bars

Merrimack, New Hampshire Diners & dives

Merrimack, New Hampshire Fairgrounds

Merrimack, New Hampshire Fast Food Places

Merrimack, New Hampshire Golf Courses

Merrimack, New Hampshire Historic Places

Merrimack, New Hampshire Libraries

Merrimack, New Hampshire Museums

Merrimack, New Hampshire Nightlife

Merrimack, New Hampshire Parks

Merrimack, New Hampshire Shopping Malls

Merrimack, New Hampshire Spas / Salons

Merrimack, New Hampshire Theatre / Arts

Merrimack, New Hampshire World Flavors

Merrimack, New Hampshire Zoos

Swimming pool closures key to drop in swimming standards

2012-06-27 Merrimack County Pool Service news

The closure of more than three hundred public swimming pools in the last 18 months has been blamed as one of a number of reasons why more than one in three primary school leavers do not have the basic swimming skills to save their lives, a report has found. It estimated more than 200,000 11-year-olds have not mastered basic survival techniques, such as floating, despite swimming being compulsory for children aged seven to 11. Pupils leaving primary school should be able to swim unaided for 25 metres. However, on average 36.5% of children in 2,577 English primary schools did not achieve the required level by the end of last year, according to the report by Kellogg's and the Amateur Swimming Association. And a separate Kellogg's survey found that 46% of parents with children aged six to 11 admitted their child couldn't swim. The report blamed rising costs, overloaded school timetables and in particular pool closures all over the UK which have taken the opportunity to swim away from hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren. "It is clear there has been a trend of too many pool closing either through financial restrictions or just old age. It is important to save more of these pools which need refurbishment rather than see them disappear for ever. Too many communities have lost their pools they badly need." The Amateur Swimming Association and Kellogg's has called on the Government to prioritise the sport "so every child has the opportunity to learn to swim irrespective of socio-economic and ethnic background". They have launched a six-point school swimming manifesto which includes urging head teachers not to close existing pools; Ofsted monitoring swimming as part of inspections; the improvement of water safety training for primary teachers and support for secondary school pupils who cannot swim. During Key Stage Two (ages seven to 11), swimming and water safety is a compulsory part of the national curriculum. By the age of 11, pupils should be able to "pace themselves in floating and swimming challenges related to speed, distance and personal survival" as well as swim unaided for a distance "of at least 25 metres". However, data obtained by Kelloggs under the Freedom of Information Act discovered that only 35 out of 85 councils in England which responded to the survey actually held swimming records. David Walker, RoSPA's Leisure Safety Manager, said: "We are concerned to see that so many children are struggling to swim at an acceptable standard." Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death among children in England. Department for Education spokesman said: "Swimming is a compulsory part of the National Curriculum, and all primary schools have a duty to provide swimming lessons for their pupils. We would expect that schools would take the needs of their children into account in making all decisions.

---

Indoor pools gaining popularity

2012-07-21 Merrimack County Pool Service news

Due to the increase in inclement weather more and more people are opting for indoor pools. When it comes to skin cancer there is nothing worst than sun rays. An indoor pool not only will save your skin but also will extend the swimming season.

---

Council mulls over swimming pool site

2012-06-25 Merrimack County Pool Service news

A NEW swimming pool could be built in the north of the city as the council grapples with a shake-up of the service. Worcester City Council chiefs will be asked to favour building a new 25-metre pool and gym at Perdiswell, after consultants drew up options to keep public swimming baths in the city for the future. We previously reported the site was among eight locations being considered in April. At a council scrutiny meeting, councillors were told the "preferred option" was being presented to cabinet, alongside several other choices, for a decision on Wednesday. If an option is agreed, a public consultation will follow by autumn. But the specification, the cost - estimated to be at least £10 million - and how that money will be found will only really be known "once the detailed business case" is produced following the public consultation, said the council's corporate services director Ruth Mullen. "That next stage will deal with the detailed modelling, specification and the funding options, which will be a huge tranche, to look at how we will fund this." It is not yet known if the centre would be leased to an operator or managed on behalf of the city council. NOW

---

Cats and pools

2012-09-12 Merrimack County Pool Service news

More and more pool owners are reporting that cats are using pools to take baths.

---

Swimming Pool beneficial to your health

2012-07-23 Merrimack County Pool Service news

Swimming has always been considered one of the best low impact exercises. New findings show that swimming will also help your heart.

---

Mixing dogs and pools

2012-09-12 Merrimack County Pool Service news

It seems that more and more pool owners are using their pools to walk their dogs.

---