Learn to Swim program gets high marks

The first year of the Juneau School District’s “Learn to Swim” program was a “huge success,” according to the co-chair of the city’s Aquatic Facilities Advisory Board.

Tom Rutecki says 22 percent of the kids who took part in the program couldn’t swim on day one. By the end of ten lessons, 93 percent were proficient swimmers.

“Was it a success? I would say it was a smashing success,” Rutecki said Monday as he updated the Juneau Assembly on the Aquatic Board’s work over the first four months of the year.

He said more than 400 fourth graders took part in the “Learn to Swim” program at both the Dimond Park Aquatic Center and Augustus Brown Swimming Pool. Members of the Glacier Swim Club taught the lessons.

Developing a “Learn to Swim” program allowed the city and borough to secure state funding for the Dimond Park aquatic facility, which celebrates a year in operation next month. Rutecki says the board is planning a community celebration.

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