SRD Receives $30,000 Island Health Community Wellness Grant
SRD has received $30,000 in funding from Island Health for its ‘Enhancing Social Capital Through Water Lifesaving, Training and Education’ grant application.
Campbell River, BC – The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has received $30,000 in funding from Island Health for its ‘Enhancing Social Capital Through Water Lifesaving, Training and Education’ grant application.
“The goal of this grant is to diversify the skillset of our water safety community,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “Many of the courses offered will be in outdoor spaces encouraging social togetherness as well as a connection with nature. On behalf of the residents of the Regional District, I extend my gratitude to Island Health for offering this valuable opportunity”.
This grant will provide funding for the SRD to:
- Offer free Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and National Lifeguard Waterfront courses at Mclvor Lake.
- Provide the Special Olympics with after-hours pool rental at the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Centre.
- Allow candidates to obtain their National Lifeguard Waterfront and National Lifeguard Surf certifications.
- Offer a free ‘Lifeguard School’ available to all First Nations participants taught by a First Nation instructor (Skill Development, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid, and National Lifeguard Pool certification). To encourage regional participation, a portion of the budget is dedicated to assist participants with travel expenses.
- Support a First Nation lifeguard with obtaining their Lifesaving and First Aid Instructor certifications.
- Subsidize the candidate certification and textbook costs for the National Lifeguard Pool certification course running at the Centennial Pool in July of 2023.
- Provide an increased ability to offer water safety training in Houpsitas.
“When training as a lifeguard, you will learn invaluable life-saving skills and confidence that you’ll be able to carry with you throughout the rest of your life,” said Sarah Madelung SRD Manager of Aquatics and Fitness.“ The SRD has been very proactive in removing financial barriers for participating in lifeguarding courses, this grant allows us to reach out further beyond the citizens of Campbell River and Area D. With a critical shortage of lifeguards across Canada, we are training participants in immediately employable skills. Each participant will also contribute to the water safety of their community through their awareness and knowledge while improving their own health and well being.”
This grant was a regional application in partnership with the City of Campbell River, Nuchatlaht First Nation, We Wai Kai First Nation, Camp Bob, Epic Exeo, the Lifesaving Society, the Mid Island Emergency Coordinators and Managers, Pacific Coast Children’s Mission and South Quadra Island Improvement District.
For more information about water safety skills and becoming a lifeguard, please visit www.strathconagardens.com/lifesaving.
Contact: Sarah Madelung, Strathcona Gardens Manager, Aquatics & Fitness 250-830-6757 | smadelung@srd.ca