SpArC summer pass in Bishop’s Castle: buy by 28 August

Young people in Bishop’s Castle have a new way to fill six weeks of the summer break with swimming, gym sessions and indoor sports. SpArC Bishops Castle Leisure Centre is offering a six-week activity pass for £35, available exclusively to new junior members aged 17 and under.

The pass must be bought in person at the leisure centre by Friday 28 August. No start date or session times were included in the announcement from Shropshire Community Leisure Trust and Serco Leisure, so families will need to confirm the available activities and schedules at the centre before attending.

Six weeks of activities at SpArC

The pass covers access to the swimming pool, junior gym sessions, football and squash. The centre also refers to additional activities, although the announcement does not list them individually.

For a young person using the pass throughout its full six-week period, the £35 price works out at less than £6 per week. It is designed as a flexible option rather than a single organised course, allowing junior members to take part in different activities during the school break.

Rhys Collins, contract manager for SpArC Bishops Castle Leisure Centre, said the offer was intended to help parents keep young people active and engaged during the holidays. He highlighted the choice between swimming, team sports and gym sessions, as well as the opportunity for teenagers to try something unfamiliar.

The range also gives friends with different interests the chance to use the same venue. Some may prefer the swimming pool or gym, while others can choose football or squash, subject to the centre’s junior access arrangements and session availability.

Who can buy the £35 summer pass

Eligibility is narrow: the six-week activity pass is for people aged 17 and under who are new junior members. The source does not say that existing junior members can buy it, and it does not provide an online purchase option.

Councillor Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for communities and environment, described the pass as a way for young people in Bishop’s Castle and the surrounding area to stay active, build confidence and spend time with friends.

Local councillor Ruth Houghton, the portfolio holder for social care, also pointed to the mix of sport and swimming available during the summer. The programme is being delivered at SpArC by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust in partnership with Serco Leisure on behalf of Shropshire Council.

The purchase deadline families need to remember

The pass is available only from SpArC Bishops Castle Leisure Centre and must be purchased there no later than Friday 28 August. Families cannot rely on an online booking route because none was provided in the announcement.

A venue address, activity timetable, transport guidance and accessibility information were not included in the published details. Parents and young people should therefore check those practical points directly with the centre, particularly junior gym and sports session availability, when purchasing the pass in person.

Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom