LRSD Launches “Swimming Counts” Program to Enhance Water Safety

The Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) has initiated the “Swimming Counts” pilot program, aimed at enhancing water safety education for Grade 3 and 4 students. This hands-on initiative will begin on October 7 at Lavallee School, funded by $100,000 allocated in LRSD’s 2025–26 budget. The program is a collaboration with the City of Winnipeg’s Community Services Department and will roll out across six schools throughout the academic year.

Participating schools include Lavallee, Provencher, Victor Mager, Victor Wyatt, Glenwood, and St. George. Each class will undergo one in-school session focused on water safety, followed by three pool sessions. Instruction will be delivered by City of Winnipeg swim staff, with certified lifeguards ensuring student safety during all pool activities. Transportation for students will be arranged via LRSD’s internal services and Tony’s Team Transport.

Ward 3 Trustee Ryan Palmquist has been a strong advocate for swimming education since his election campaign in 2022. He emphasized that the program’s establishment is a direct response to community support and advocacy. “This was chosen for investment following considerable supportive feedback from the public, whom I rallied to support it during our 2025–26 budget consultation process,” Palmquist stated. He mentioned receiving endorsements from organizations such as the Lifesaving Society and New Canadian groups.

The idea for the program emerged from a board report requested by Palmquist after his election, which examined options to broaden access to swimming instruction and water safety education for students. While LRSD administration developed the assessment and performance details, Palmquist is focused on ensuring that the program continues beyond its pilot phase. “My hope and plan is to champion this program again in the upcoming 2026–27 LRSD budget,” he said, expressing a desire to expand the program to all relevant schools and integrate it permanently into the physical education curriculum.

The funding for the pilot was based on cost estimates provided by the City of Winnipeg, which collaborated with LRSD on staffing and facility logistics. The school division approved funding for swimming instruction in its spring 2025 budget, with an administrative report presented at the board meeting on September 2, available publicly through LRSD’s YouTube channel.

Palmquist acknowledged the contributions of community partners and staff in bringing the initiative to fruition. “This project really shows what’s possible when the community and the school division work together,” he remarked. “It’s about giving every student a chance to learn skills that could one day save their life.”

The official launch of the Swimming Counts pilot program marks a significant step towards improving water safety education and accessibility for young learners in the region.