This is an exciting time for leisure and sports activities in Hackney as the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics start to take shape.

Hackney has a major role to play in the Games and the Council's partnership with GLL has already seen wide scale improvements to the leisure facilities in the borough. More than £5 million has been spent on improvements over the last twelve months, including refurbishments, new equipment, better facilities for disabled people and the reopening of London's only 50m outdoor heated swimming pool. However, our work will not stop here. We will continue to maintain and improve facilities in the borough.

Our continuing partnership with GLL means that not only can we now offer borough-wide membership, but also membership of the London Fitness Network which gives residents access to more than 70 leisure centres across London.

The people of this borough deserve first class and affordable facilities to contribute to their health, relaxation and well-being. Children in Hackney need space to learn to swim, and we need to make sure residents from all walks of life have access to leisure facilities in the borough. Over the next 12 months we will continue our efforts to achieve this, and in the meantime, our partnership with GLL will ensure continuous improvements to existing facilities and service.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney

Access to Free Swimming for under 18 year olds is via Leisure Centre membership. If you don't already have a membership register today via the FREE SWIMMING link.