By Hannah Lieder
On June 19th, the Minneapolis Park Board unanimously passed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Minneapolis Swims. This MOU set out achievable requirements for Minneapolis Swims which include securing $250,000 in committed user fees and $100,000 in learn-to-swim scholarships. The MPRB commits to providing $150,000 per year in operating support and $80,000 for year zero (first year) funding.
Also in the motion to approve the MOU the MPRB staff is instructed to prepare a proposal to the Minneapolis Public Schools for swim team usage of the facility. We anticipate this proposal will include a request for additional capital needed to build the much-needed 8-lane competition pool with bleachers.
Minneapolis Swims recently received a grant from LISC to organize the capital fundraising campaign. Currently we have secured $2.2 million dollars. To build the sustainable aquatics facility the city needs, which includes a 8-lane pool, a separate diving well and a large multi-purpose teaching pool, we need to raise an additional $7 million dollars.
If you are interested in helping with this effort, which must be completed by June 2014, please contact Hannah at Minneapolis Swims at 612-636-7202. Any help will be greatly appreciated as we work together to bring competitive swimming and diving to Minneapolis and ensure that everyone in the City of Lakes learns how to swim.
Also, there is a great opportunity to get involved to support competitive swimming and diving in Minneapolis. From July 31st to August 10th, the University of Minnesota will be hosting the USA Diving Junior National Championships. Volunteers will have the opportunity to watch the top youth divers in the country compete plus they will receive a free t-shirt and have access to the hospitality room which will provide free breakfast, lunch and dinners to all volunteers. Here is a link to sign up to volunteer: http://tinyurl.com/diving2013 Volunteers are needed for runners, security, ticket takers, announcers, and score writers. Minneapolis Swims will have an informational tent at this event so be sure to stop by.
