2023-05-20 23:09:54
An entrepreneur upset by the drowning of a young boy in 2021 decided to offer free swimming lessons to children in Lower Town Quebec and since then the number of registrations has exploded.
This heartfelt impulse has so far enabled 750 children aged 6 months to 15 years to jump into the water in the new YMCA Saint-Roch pool and learn the basics of swimming.
The initiator of the project, Geneviève Marcon, who is co-president of GM Développement and owner of the Benjo toy store, saw for herself this morning that her investment of $50,000 was paying off.
Photo Louis Deschenes
Genevieve Marcon
“Honestly, I never thought that we would end up with more than 700 children […] I see fathers and mothers with their children in the pool today and it touches me,” said the businesswoman.
Moreover, given the success, she would like other entrepreneurs in the Quebec region to invest to ensure the sustainability of her initiative.
Financial reality
The general manager of the Saint-Roch YMCA admits that free swimming lessons have had a major impact on registrations.
“There are definitely financial realities […] We know that there are families in the neighborhood for whom the registration costs can be a barrier,” he notes.
The parents met by The newspaper all wore a broad smile and saluted the generosity of Mrs.me Markon. This is the case of Frédéric-Charles, who accompanied his daughter Clara-Jade, 7, out of the swimming pool.
“We have benefited from this measure for two swimming sessions […] It’s an additional incentive,” admits the dad, who is reassured to see his children develop new skills in the water.
Save lives
On the occasion of Quebec Boating Safety Week, which begins tomorrow, this initiative was welcomed by everyone in the industry, including Raynald Hawkins, Executive Director of the Lifesaving Society.
According to statistics, children aged 9 and under account for the largest percentage of drowning cases at 80%.
As of May 18, the Lifesaving Society had recorded 18 drownings, compared to 8 drownings on the same date last year.
“Swimming is one of the only sports, the only hobbies that can save your life. So M.me Marcon and the fund make it possible to save lives,” concludes Rosalie Allard-Proulx, aquatic activities coordinator at the Saint-Roch YMCA.
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