children playing badminton

October half term fun at DBLeisure

There’s no need for youngsters to be bored this half term with lots of fun to be had at Duncan Edwards, Crystal and Halesowen leisure centres and The Dell Stadium.

All Dudley borough residents aged 16 and under can enjoy free swimming at Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge and Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre in Dudley from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October inclusive.

Young people taking advantage of the free-swimming offer, which supports the Child Friendly Dudley Initiative, must be supervised by a responsible adult aged 18 or over, who should remain at the centre throughout the swim. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied in the water by an adult or responsible person over 18 years of age. One adult must accompany no more than two children under the age of eight into the swimming pool.

People who have not previously registered for free swimming must do so at www.freeswimindudley.co.uk in advance of their swim. Numbers are limited and entry will be on a first come first served basis.

Crystal Leisure Centre will once again offer families the chance to attend a later family swimming session on Tuesday 25 October from 5pm to 8pm.

Duncan Edwards will also run a fun float session on Saturday 29 October from noon to 1pm. This session is not part of the free-swimming offer and normal admission prices will apply.

Family fun disability swims, which are designed for people with disabilities, special educational needs, and ASD, will be held at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre on Wednesday 26 October from 3.10pm to 5pm and at Crystal Leisure Centre on Friday 28 October from 2pm to 4pm, with the free-swimming offer applicable.

The brand-new Planet Play areas at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre and Halesowen Leisure Centre will offer soft play for children up to the age of 11. Crystal Leisure Centre’s soft play will also be open for children aged seven and under. People are advised to call in advance to check opening times and availability.

Children aged three to nine can enjoy spooky arts and crafts sessions at Crystal Leisure Centre. Sessions for three to five year olds will take place on Wednesday 26 October from 1.30pm to 3pm and for six to nine year olds on Thursday 27 October from 2.30pm to 4pm. Duncan Edwards will run the activity for five to nine year olds on Monday 24 October from 10.30am to 11.30am. Spaces must be pre-booked and cost £5.50 per child. Children booking in for arts and crafts and soft play at Duncan Edwards can get a reduced price of £8.50 when taking part in both.

At the Dell Stadium, children aged eight and over can enjoy a kick about on the 3G football pitch for just £1 each on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9.30am to 4pm and Tuesday from 11.30am to 4pm. People aged 16 years and above can play for just £2. The activity is not instructor led and is unsupervised. Youngsters are asked to bring their own football and must wear appropriate football boots - only moulded, screw in plastic, nylon, and rubber studs under 15mm allowed.

Table-tennis and badminton is available at Duncan Edwards and Crystal leisure centres throughout the week for children aged eight years and above, with equipment available to hire. The activity is not a coaching session and is unsupervised, youngsters are advised to contact the centres for availability.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economic regeneration and enterprise, said:

We know it can be hard to keep children active and entertained during the school holidays, but once again our centres are offering a fun programme for children of all ages and abilities.
Whether it is the brand-new soft play offers at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre and Halesowen Leisure Centre, or the fun leisure pool at Crystal Leisure Centre, there is plenty on offer at an affordable price this half term.
Additionally, our family fun disability swims are something we are now able to offer at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre. Demonstrating that we want to ensure there is something for everyone at our leisure centres.
For details of pool opening times and all leisure centre activities, people can go to www.dbleisure.co.uk. A 50 per cent discount is available to Options+ discount holders on some of the activities.

Full details of school holiday activities can be found online at https://www.dbleisure.co.uk/school-holiday-activities

Contact Information

Dudley Council

pressoffice@dudley.gov.uk