Title
A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing the Community Recreation Department to provide a matching contribution of ten (10) swim lesson scholarships to the Venetian Aquatic Club Sonia Dallas Learn to Swim Scholarship Program for a two-year period from Summer 2026 through Summer 2028.
Body
The Community Recreation Department has historically partnered with the Venetian Aquatic Club (“VAC”) to support water safety education and increase access to swim instruction for children and families experiencing financial hardship. Through this partnership, the Community Recreation Department provides a matching contribution of ten (10) swim lesson scholarships annually to complement the VAC’s Sonia Dallas Learn to Swim Scholarship Program.
The Venetian Aquatic Club is a non-profit organization established in 1959 by Coral Gables residents dedicated to promoting water safety and swimming education at the historic Venetian Pool. Recognizing the unique aquatic environment of South Florida, including waterways, lakes, pools, and coastal areas, the organization was founded with the goal of ensuring that children and adults have access to proper swimming instruction and water safety education.
To further its mission, the VAC established the Sonia Dallas Learn to Swim Scholarship Program, which provides free swim lessons to participants who may not otherwise have the financial ability to enroll in swim programs. In support of this initiative, the City proposes to continue its partnership with the VAC by matching the organization’s contribution and providing ten (10) two-week Learn to Swim Program scholarships annually for a two-year period from Summer 2026 through Summer 2028.
This partnership supports the City’s ongoing commitment to public safety, youth wellness, and equitable access to recreational programming, while helping ensure that essential life-saving swim skills remain accessible to all members of the community.