< Back to previous pageCommunity Swim School Project
The Friends of Strathmore Community School became an incorporated society to bring our dream of a community swim school into reality.
Thank you to everyone who made a submission to Wellington City Council in support of our funding application.
What is this project about?
Our school pool is not in a fit state to be used, and needs upgrading. The school and the Friends society are jointly committed to helping improve the sad state of New Zealand children's ability to swim and keep themselves safe in the water, starting with our students and our local community. To that end, we aim to:
- redevelop our pool into a covered facility
- establish a community swim school from the new pool.
Wellington City Council has announced funding is available for upgrades to school pools. There have been some changes to the overall amount, and the timing for when the funding will become available, but we hope to obtain a share.
How far have we got?
- Fundraising efforts to date have raised over $6,000.
- We are currently preparing our application for funding from the Wellington City Council for the rest.
- We have had an architect's plan drawn, for how the building could look. (See below.)
- We have a verbal agreement with a fully qualified swim instructor to run the swim school.
When will it happen
Our application for Council funding has had to go on hold while the proposed merger with Miramar South School is finalised. The decision on the merger will determine when we can start putting any formal plans into action, but we are continuing our fundraising activities while we wait.
What will it be like?
- We intend the swim school to be operated independently from the school.
- The school will provide classes for both our students, preschoolers, and the wider community.
- The main activity will be swimming lessons. If the lesson schedule allows, the pool could also be opened for casual swimming, e.g. for fitness or fun.
- The facility will remain in the same position as our current pool, on our boundary opposite the end of Glamis Ave.
- An architect's concept design shows how the finished building could look.
- We will be requesting funding to have the pool enlarged too, so adult swimmers will also be able to use it.
- We intend to provide a direct walk-on access footpath from Strathmore Avenue, so pool users don't need to 'go the long way' through the school's main gate.
How can you help?
- Complete and return our Pool Project Survey (doc or pdf) – see Location and Contacts. This will help us with our Council funding application.
- Provide a donation; keep an eye out for community events the school holds, and come along.
- Talk to others in the local area (especially those who are parents), and let them know about the project – the swim school is intended for everyone. This will help get the word around for when we start operating.