The city of Albertville’s mayor, Tracy Honea, who personally championed this initiative, shares a heart-wrenching tale that sparked action.
“My daughter and son-in-law lost a friend a few years ago. He drowned. This was a guy who symbolized the epitome of adventure, had contributed immensely to youth camps across the country, and was a connoisseur of extreme sports,” Honea recounts with evident emotion.
“His passing in such tragic circumstances was a wake-up call. It became a mission of mine to help ensure the tragedy of drowning—a preventable fate—is tackled head-on in our community.”
During the recent school year, Mayor Honea’s mission came to fruition. Fifth and sixth-grade students had the opportunity to benefit from swimming lessons during their PE periods. The result is profound—transforming trepidation into confidence, ignorance into awareness, and vulnerability into empowerment.
“We want to express our gratitude to Sand Mountain Park for playing a vital role in enhancing our students’ readiness for this summer’s swimming through the valuable lessons provided during the previous academic year,” said Steven Hudgins, Albertville Intermediate School’s principal.
“With the involvement of over 140 students in the swimming classes, we have taken significant steps to guarantee the safety and well-being of our children as we head towards the summer season.”
The program’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive both within the school and the wider community and will continue in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
Parents and community members alike recognize not just the immediate benefits, but the lasting impact these skills have on individual health and community safety.
“Teaching children to swim is more than learning how to float. Swim lessons instill a profound sense of confidence and self-reliance,” says Sports Facilities Companies Vice President Patrick O’Brien, SMPA’s former general manager who now oversees management and operations of the venue.
“This new initiative is about building a community where health and safety are prioritized, where each member looks out for one another, and where children grow up with an engrained understanding of personal responsibility and communal well-being.”
Albertville sets a sterling example of what can be achieved when local officials, educational institutions, and community facilities work together towards common goals.
The swimming program’s effectiveness further illustrates how strategic partnerships and data-driven approaches to community needs can produce remarkable outcomes of immense social value.
“I’ve observed firsthand the transformative impact swimming lessons have on young individuals,” says SMPA General Manager Brent Boatwright.
“It’s not just about safety, though preventing drowning is a critical concern. Swim lessons also contribute to the ability of our community to become healthier, with programs such as this also making our facilities more inclusive and accessible to everyone.”
Sports Facilities Companies urge other communities to consider following in the wake of Albertville — to recognize that comprehensive safety education, just like the swim lessons being taught here, is not merely a beneficial addition to a child’s upbringing but an essential pillar in safeguarding our youth.