Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Williams Aquatic Center makes big splash with local youth
Swimming lessons available through voucher system

Kids enrolled in the Williams Recreation Center’s Summer Rec program enjoy the cool of the pool at the Williams Aquatic Center June 14. Ryan Williams/WGCN

Kids enrolled in the Williams Recreation Center’s Summer Rec program enjoy the cool of the pool at the Williams Aquatic Center June 14. Ryan Williams/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Learn to swim or brush up on rusty skills with the Williams Aquatic center this summer.

The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center (FWAC) is sponsoring $2,000 worth of free swim lessons for children or adults this summer. This 2012 service project will provide lessons to 66 individuals of all ages. Parents and legal guardians must obtain a voucher from FWAC prior to registering for lessons. Vouchers are provided to people regardless of where they live.

FWAC has applied for a grant from the Greater Williams Community Fund for $1,500 in order to provide additional free lessons for up to 50 people. The voucher system will be used again to distribute those free lessons.

"Friends of the Aquatic Center has helped the community get the most out of the pool during the summer months," Aquatic Coordinator Sherri Sleeper said. "Last year they extended the season, which helped the high school kids out a lot.

The vouchers have done great things for the pool and the community Sleeper went on to say. People who may not be able to afford lessons are now able to take them.

"We see a lot of the same faces taking lessons, but this year we've seen a lot of new people out there," she said.

Swimming lessons are available for all ages, although there is a minimum age of six-months-old.

"If they are around 2-years-old, we have a parent come with them in the water," Sleeper said.

The center offers eight Tuesday through Friday sessions from 4-4:30 p.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. Another option is Wednesday and Friday morning for four weeks.

Sleeper said in total, they have around 68 people signed up for lessons.

There are eight lessons in a session, each lasting around two weeks. Cost is $30 dollars.

Water aerobics is also available three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. The center offers both shallow and deepwater aerobics.

Sleeper added they have swimmers traveling from Ash Fork, Grand Canyon, Seligman and even from Prescott.

"There is a lot of interest," Sleeper said. "Camp Civitan comes in on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. We've got Seligman coming every Tuesday morning, their pool shut down. We have boy scouts and some lady from Phoenix wants to bring her 4-H Club here."

The Williams Aquatic Center opened May 26 and runs until school begins Aug 17. Times change to weekends only through Sept. 1.

For more information, call the Aquatic Center at (928) 635-3005.

To acquire a swimming lesson voucher, contact Clare Hydock at (928) 814-6754 or email friends@williamsaquaticcenter.org.


Donate Report a Typo Contact