File photo.

Long Beach youth under 17 in will now be able to access community pools for a $1 admission fee, reduced from a previous fee of $2 to $3, the City of Long Beach announced today.

In a press release issued Monday, the City said the fee decrease was introduced by Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Suzie Price and Dee Andrews. The motion was approved unanimously, and the Parks and Recreation Commission finalized the fee decrease with their approval on April 16, 2015.

“Cost should not be a burden as we encourage more youth to swim at our wonderful facilities,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement. “Swimming is a great way to maintain a healthy active lifestyle, and also just so much fun for kids to splash around with friends during open swim.”

“Lowering youth pool fees will help more young people to enjoy our pools, strengthen their swimming skills and encourage them to become lifelong swimmers,” Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal echoed in a statement.

Fees for Long Beach youth at city pools were previously $3 at Belmont pool and $2 at the Silverado Pool, King Pool, Millikan and Jordan high school pools. Youth admittance is free when participating in Parks, Recreation and Marine Summer Fun, Winners Reaching Amazing Potential (WRAP) school enrichment program and Day Camp programs.

Click here for more information about Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine pool programs.