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Monongalia County commission hears expansion plan for 'Mon County Mini Swimmers' and considers $50,000 budget
Summary
A Peak Health Aquatic Center representative outlined changes to the county’s swim‑instruction program and asked the commission to budget $50,000 to expand scholarships and reporting; commissioners endorsed the program and requested regular progress reports.
Jennifer, a presenter from the Peak Health Aquatic Center at Mylan Park, described the county’s “Mon County Mini Swimmers” water‑safety program, its history and proposed changes. She said the program began in 2021, was expanded in 2023 to serve kindergarten through second grade, and has served more than 1,500 participants to date. The center uses American Red Cross water‑safety curricula and also hosts infant swim‑rescue programs that the presenter described as more intensive and cost‑prohibitive than the county program.
Jennifer said the program emphasizes early exposure to water and family participation; the county offering includes parent‑child beginner classes, lifesaving basics, life‑jacket use and sun‑safety guidance. She described a planned marketing push (social media, radio, on‑site flyers and school outreach) and said registration opened in early June for July sessions. The presentation also noted a 10% discount for a second class to encourage retention.
On program design, Jennifer said scholarship support will be limited to beginner‑level classes (capped so the scholarship will not cover advanced levels once a child reaches the program’s level‑3 competency). She said the program intends to start earlier in a child’s development; the presentation repeatedly contrasted prior eligibility focused on kindergarten–second grade with a revised enrollment approach described during the meeting.
Commissioner discussion focused on budgeting and oversight. A commissioner said the county had budgeted $50,000 for the program and asked for regular reports; Jennifer agreed to provide bimonthly reports that include participant names and invoices for reimbursement. Commissioners expressed support for expanding swim instruction to reduce drowning risk and urged flexibility if demand exceeds budgeted capacity.
The commission did not take a final appropriation vote during the presentation; commissioners requested the ongoing bimonthly reporting and monitoring of enrollment, and staff indicated they would return with any necessary budget adjustments should demand exceed the $50,000 placeholder.
