The new Gore Aquatics Programme (GAP) will replace the previous lessons which were cancelled recently after the Mataura Licensing Trust pulled its funding due to Covid-19.
The new programme would be funded with $28,000 from the council, $12,000 from the Mataura Licensing Trust and the Gore Pakeke Lions Club is likely to confirm $10,000.
It will mean primary and intermediate school children in the Gore district will get free lessons focusing on water safety skills.
However, schools outside the Gore district but within the MLT catchment will no longer be eligible for the new programme.
Gore Aquatics manager Martin Mackereth said talks with Southern Rural Education Activities Programme (Reap) have ensured Hedgehope, Te Tipua and Tuturau primary schools would be catered for through Reap’s SwimSafe Southland programme.
The intention was to talk to the Southland District Council and the Clutha District Council about options for schools which had previously received subsidised lessons, he said.
The GAP lessons would start in term 4.
