Free swimming and cut-price entry to sports clubs are at risk for Aberdeen’s ‘baby boom’ generation in a radical overhaul of the city’s flagship leisure scheme.
Up to 40,000 free dips are taken every year under the Access 2 Leisure (A2L) scheme, with the popular policy now to be reviewed.
A2L was set up to help every Aberdeen resident stay healthy with discounts for culture and sports venues for older residents and those receiving some types of benefit.
But concerns have been raised at Aberdeen City Council that A2L is overwhelmingly used by those aged 60 and over who qualify because of their age and not necessarily because of low income or poor health.
A report said: “It is clear that there is some useage by those with very significant disadvantages, but in the main the card appears to be financially benefiting those aged 60+ by providing reduced access to activities such as golf and those on a low income.
“Whilst there is nothing at all wrong with this, there is potential to better target the subsidies provided to reach others living with disadvantage in the city, particularly given the changes to the national benefits system.”
Adults will no longer qualify for the scheme when hitting 60 but will have to wait until pensionable age to qualify for the cheaper deals under proposals.
Figures show more than 55,000 Aberdeen residents take advantage of the A2L scheme, with 83% of transactions made by those aged 60 or over.
Discounted cups of coffee at venues including His Majesty’s Theatre and the Music Hall are also to cease under A2L after it was revealed that more than 17,600 hot drinks were served at a cut price.
It is hoped to tie such perks to those who have attended sporting sessions in the future.
The scheme is subsidised by Aberdeen City Council by £100,000 a year with venues picking up the remaining bill.
Councillors have agreed that its spending needs to be more focussed on those living in the most deprived areas in order to try and close the health gap between the city’s rich and poor.
Conservative councillor Fraser Forsyth, a member of the finance, policy and resources committee which looked at the policy, said: “The aim is to make what little we have got work a little bit harder. The take up is disproportionately by the over 60s but the take up is not great in some areas of the community.
“We are going through some major demographic changes and we have to decide whether we can afford to fund those who are aged 60, 62 and 63 who are still working or those on lower incomes who may have serious health issues and are not able to access leisure facilities in the city.”