Passport to Leisure in Medway

Following the £11million transformation of the Black Lion Leisure Centre into Medway Park, Medway Council have introduced a discount card, Passport to Leisure, which offers reduced prices or free access to some facilities in Medway at certain times It's aimed at people who may otherwise not have the facilities available to them, such as those with disabilities.

For everyone, Medway Park offers an unlimited swimming only membership at £16.95 per month (tied for 1 year) alongside their usual memberships. However, I found the best value for money for me came with the centre off peak yearly membership at just £23.50 for the year, which, combined with their buy-12-for-10 swimming ticket scheme, works out at a swim a week across 48 weeks of the year for £131.50. Without membership, it would cost you £206.40! Free swimming is available at all five of the council's leisure centres for under-11s and over-60s living in Medway, during normal opening times. (Club sessions etc. are not included) All you need is a free Medway City Card, apply for it on line here or pick up an application form at your local leisure centre. 

Echoes gym operate from six leisure centres across the region, providing a wide range of equipment and value for money memberships, designed to help people of all levels of fitness find the perfect place and time to work out.

You don't have be cooped up in a gym or get wet to become fitter though - Medway has plenty of facilities out in the fresh air where you can take part in a wide range of different activities. For budding Lee Westwood's, Snodhurst Bottom is a challenging but fun pitch and putt course, while Deangate Ridge is the full monty for those with more experience. For serious competitions, a short trip along the A229 brings you to the Rochester and Cobham Golf Club, home of a European tour winner.

We have various sports clubs, a tennis club and many crickets clubs for those who fancy the challenge of dislodging Strauss, Pietersen et al (look, they've only lost one game, ok?) and lovely wide open parks and spaces like Capstone if you just want to run!

Ever been karting? We have the premiere karting track in the country right on our doorstep and although it's not something you can do regularly on a limited budget, just one half hour session around the international circuit at Buckmore Park will introduce you to muscles you never knew you had! Likewise at Chatham ski slope - novices or experienced; skiers and skateboarders, all are catered for.

Suzie Elizabeth, via Facebook, has her own best, fun practice: "Musical chairs to rock or pop music  - with the loser having to do ten press ups!" Sounds like a great Saturday night in to me! And then, in the following days, we can visit Lesley to put us back together ...

Medway Gets Active is your one-stop shop for sports and leisure information in Medway or you can visit the Medway Park site and sign up for the e-newsletter to find out what's new.