In light of the recent drowning deaths of two area youths, I have to say that this is absolutely great:
County Executive Scott Walker announced that swimming lessons are being offered at various Milwaukee County pools this summer. Saturday or weekday sessions are available.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to learn a life-long skill,” said Walker. “Swim lessons teach water safety rules that are so important as we head into the summer season.”
The cost is $38 dollars for each participant and covers eight sessions. Swim lesson sign up takes place this Saturday, June 19 from 9am – noon. Lessons will be held at the indoor and outdoor pools listed below on Saturdays from 10:45am – 11:45am beginning June 26 and ending August 21, except July 3.
Weekday sessions will be offered only at the indoor pools from 11:15am – 12:15pm.
My only gripe – and it’s a small one – is the price for the lessons. What about a sliding fee scale that takes a child’s family income into account when determining the cost associated with the lessons? While $38 is certainly a reasonable price for swim lessons, there are no doubt many families in Milwaukee County who may not have $38 in disposable income to spend on swim lessons for their child. Despite that gripe, these swim lessons are a great thing, and hopefully many families in Milwaukee County will take advantage of the opportunity to have their children learn how to swim, so we can avoid more tragic drowning deaths among our young people.
Said Walker, “You’ll pay to get what you really want. We’re just trying to keep the riff-raff out.”