The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Wouldn’t it be nice if a kid could take swim lessons in the Coulee area? Swimming and boating are a big part of our recreatio,n after all.

Local woman Lonna Bussert is looking into the logistics of the effort after parents in the area told her they were taking their kids to Wilbur for swim lessons, which made her realize the need for lessons here.

The Coulee Area Park and Recreation District is interested in, and looking into, sponsoring the program, according to Commissioner Kevin Portch.

Bussert, who also serves on the Electric City Council, is going through an application process with the National Park Service to be allowed to offer the swimming lessons.

Part of the application process requires certification through the Red Cross as both lifeguards and as swimming instructors, which involves taking multiple courses through the Red Cross, both online and in person.

If a group of five or more people is interested, there are instructors willing to travel to a location to provide the training, according to Tatyana Kiselyov, an aquatic specialist with the Red Cross; otherwise classes are offered out of Spokane and Moses Lake.

Bussert hopes that several people will step forward to become lifeguards/swim instructors to be able to teach swimming to various age groups.

Those interested in becoming certified, or otherwise helping with the cause, should contact Bussert at 509-631-2033, or Portch at 509-631-013