Durham County Council is offering free five visit passes at the 10 centres it runs – which can be used for gym sessions, group exercise classes or swimming – and free leisure discount cards.
Cllr Maria Plews, the authority’s cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “This August and September we’re offering a great chance for those who feel inspired by the Rio games to try out new activities, learn new techniques and routines, and improve their health and happiness.”
To take advantage of the free session offer you must have a Thrive leisure discount card and visits must take place when either the Olympic Games (from Friday 5 to Sunday 21 August) or the Paralympics (Wednesday 7 to Sunday 18 September) are on.
If you do not already have a card, which ordinarily costs £5, then you can pick one up for free during the offer period. It can then also be used to save money on a range of activities including squash, table tennis, sauna and steam rooms.
Anyone who visits five times will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets for an event at Durham’s Gala Theatre.
And as an added incentive, and a bid to encourage longer term fitness, those who decide to take up a gym membership in either August or September will benefit from 50% off their first month’s fees if paying via direct debit, or up to three months extra free if paying for an annual membership upfront.*
The offer is available at Abbey, Chester-le-Street, Freeman’s Quay, Meadowfield, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon-Sunnydale, Spennymoor and Teesdale leisure centres, and the Riverside and Woodhouse Close leisure complexes.
To find your nearest centre and for more information about the offer please visit www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres.