The City of Colusa, in partnership with Colusa Swim Team’s Board of Directors and Colusa Unified School District, was awarded a $5,080 “Youth Learn to Swim Grant” by the USA Swimming Foundation on Feb. 10.
The City will offer its residents under the age of 18 free learn-to-swim lessons using these funds, officials said.
“We are enthusiastic to be part of this,” said Melissa Yerxa Ortiz, Colusa Swim Team Board president, in a news release. “Water safety is part of our ecosystem. With the river and agricultural canals surrounding us, it is important for our kids to learn water safety and know how to swim. The Colusa Swim Team’s mission is to encourage active, engaging, and healthy relationships with water. We want kids to be confident and excited about swimming, and teaching all kids to swim is how we start.”
Of the 184 competitive applications for this grant, only 102 were awarded, officials said.
“This is a great opportunity for our residents, and will help in building a robust recreation program for the city,” said City Manager Jesse Cain. “The pool is a wonderful asset, and the more we can do to encourage the use of this facility, the better.”
Cain, Recreation Coordinator Jenny Lay, Colusa Unified School District Superintendent Rebecca Changus, along with Ortiz and Swim Team Board members Fernanda Vanetta and Sadie Ash, partnered to create a program that will serve as many children as possible, maximizing the impact of this grant.
Application instructions and other details about the free learn-to-swim program will be included in the Summer 2022 Recreation Program to be issued this spring. ■