What is SWIMS Lillooet?

SWIMS Lillooet

SWIMS - Who are We?

SWIMS is a charitable organization, registered with the Government of Canada in June 2014.

The Purposes of the Society are:

1. To facilitate an ongoing and encompassing relationship among the citizens of Lillooet, the REC Centre staff and the Municipal Council in which the pool continues to be open, available and a viable resource for now and in the future.

2. The Society will serve as a forum for community expectations regarding water safety training for youth; exercise and fitness therapy for adults, seniors and the disabled; boating safety instruction; and recreational fun for all ages.

Why is SWIMS raising $200,000 to get the pool open?

SWIMS Lillooet

The District of Lillooet needs a commitment from the community before it can contemplate opening the pool past the current 3-month opening.

Some of the reasons that the pool has not been open in the past is due to the high expense of running a pool due to staffing levels, lack of trained lifeguards, and the idea that “nobody is interested in the pool and it is not well used”.

SWIMS believes these are long-held beliefs that need to be challenged. By creating team and recreational sport programs, similar to what happens in the arena, we build more interest in the pool, leading to increased use. By creating health, wellness and fitness programs we engage people to use the pool for their wellbeing.

By creating family and youth programs we provide generations of pool users who play and learn together. With greater pool use, comes greater revenues, with the understanding that pools never make money in any community … but instead provide many unnoticed benefits such as an increased healthy and happy community, increased economic benefits through full time jobs and through new people moving to the area.

But we can’t create these programs or hire lifeguard/instructors when the pool is only open for 3-months. With a 10-Month opening we can create real career employment opportunities, while also growing skill levels in the community to always have available trained lifeguards and instructors.

What are the Benefits of an Open Pool?

1. GET HEALTHY
  • Improve your heart health and lower blood pressure
  • Improve your circulation and blood flow
  • Improve your breathing (good for those suffering asthma)
  • Relieve stress, anxiety and depression
2. GET FIT
  • Lose weight
  • Build muscle strength, stamina and endurance
  • Great core workout
  • Increase your energy levels
  • Mix up your running routine with swimming too!
3. RECOVER
  • Low-impact exercise – no weight-bearing workout!
  • Relieve aches and pains
  • Reduces back and knee pain, and eases symptoms of arthritis!
4. HAVE FUN
  • All ages can swim and play
  • Good family activity together
  • Enjoy games with your friends
  • Participate in sport programs
  • Cost effective way to have fun!
5. STAY SAFE
  • Learn how to swim
  • Learn how to stay safe around water
  • A lifetime activity you can do anywhere