Inuvik (July 23/04) - Sedna's Pool has been a deluge of activity since swimming programs there have begun.

"We're getting 20 plus out for aquafit for adults," said pool supervisor Colin Halsall. "And the kids programs have been great and the youngsters well-behaved."

In addition to aquafit, aqua-tot -- designed for parents and toddlers -- and a healthy babies program for post-natals, the youth swimming lessons and free swims have been keeping Halsall's staff of five lifeguard/instructors busy.

Preparing for family centre

That staff will likely be added to when the Family Centre opens.

Factors such as hours of operation and the amount of swimmers in the pool will affect the number of lifeguards the new Family Centre will require when it opens later this year.

However, both the town's financial officer -- and former lifeguard -- Mark Weber, and Halsall agree that eight full-time lifeguards and four part-timers will be required to adequately monitor the new pool.

"I would say (those numbers are) not far off the mark," said Weber.

Due to a shortage of trained lifeguards in Inuvik, the town has had to recruit staff from outside the region to work at Sedna's Pool.

Though nothing has been finalized, Halsall hopes to start a lifeguard training program to get people qualified to work at the new pool.

"We're in the process of getting funding," said Halsall. "And no swimming experience is necessary."

Halsall says that 200 hours of pool time is generally how long it takes to train a person with no previous swimming experience.

At the town office, Weber says that the idea is a good one.

"We'd like to get it going. The problem is that with the current pool's depth, one can only get shallow-water accreditation."

Weber says that lifeguards would not be able to earn full-certification until the Family Centre is opened, thus enabling prospective lifeguards to complete deep-water training.

For the moment, there are no projected cost figures for the proposed training program or for the day-to-day operation of the Family Centre.

Last year, the operation costs for Sedna's Pool was $46,000.

Swim team

needs swimmers

With a regional swim meet scheduled for Aug. 14-16 in Tuktoyaktuk, the Inuvik Swim Club is looking for more participants.

"We've started practices, but we need more kids," said Halsall.