Cortland YMCA receives donated swim equipment from community service club

Aquatics equipment donated to the Cortland YMCA from the Cortland Community Service Club (photo provided)

The following is a republished press release from the Cortland YMCA.

CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Cortland Community Service Club recently awarded the Cortland YMCA over $2,000 to enhance swim lesson programs.

“YMCA Swim lessons contain a personal safety component, but it was difficult for our instructors to cover all of the personal safety skills because of the lack of equipment,” said Dave Hamilton, Executive Director of the Cortland YMCA. Hamilton added, “Thankfully, there was an opportunity to apply for funds from the Cortland Community Service Club to purchase the necessary items. We are very appreciative for the grant to help not only the Y, but our whole community.”

Hamilton said the new additions will also help with the Cortland Y’s implementation of Y-USA’s new "Safety Around Water" program.

“Safety around water is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Hamilton.

The Y is currently offering the Safety Around Water program, and ran the first 8 class sessions in early December. There will be additional sessions throughout 2017.

“The Y had some personal safety devices, but they were getting old and worn,” said Cortland YMCA Aquatics Director, Bethany Schroeder. Schroeder said the new additions will help improve not only swimming lessons, but general Y safety around the pool as well.

Schroeder is happy to have the new inflatable boat for use during swimming lessons, to teach participants proper exiting and entering of a boat, as well as other boating safety skills. “It is very important with all of our ponds, lakes and rivers in the area that boating safety is included in our lesson programming, because safety around water goes well beyond pools,” said Schroeder.

Schroeder also was pleased to have additional pool noodles and life vests available to the public when swimming at the Y. “Having the extra devices available will greatly increase the safety factor in our facility.”

The Cortland County Family YMCA has proudly been serving the Cortland and the surrounding communities for the past 149 years. We are for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility. For more information about Aquatics programs at the Y, visit us online at www.cortlandymca.org or call at 607-756-2893.