The Clinton Central School Corporation is about to reap the rewards of a Clinton County Community Foundation grant aimed to upgrade the Clinton Central Aquatic Center.
The Foundation awarded the school corporation $18,000 for the Clinton Central Summer Swim Club to upgrade the pool with the installation of six new starting blocks, foot chocks, grab rails and a wireless starting system connected to a wireless scoreboard.
“This is what the kids wanted to do,” said Clinton Central High School Assistant Swimming Coach Wyndi Hall. “They wanted to have new blocks, up to date ones. So, I gave them a challenge to figure out how to accomplish what they wanted to do.”
Hall said the starting blocks cost $27,000 and she added the rest of the funds came from the community as well as Fontana Fasteners, Walmart and personal families. In all, she said they raised, including the grant, $36,000.
Hall said the starting blocks are not the only things they are getting.
“We are getting seven new touch pads, relay judging pads, a wireless system and a whole new decktronic system.”
In addition, a camera display will be coming for diving as well as three new computers.
“This is going to enhance our program a lot,” said Hall.
The Aquatic Center serves the school district, including adults rehabbing from surgery, student groups learning to snorkel, lifeguard trainings, water therapy for children with arthritis, the summer swim program and the junior and senior high school swim teams.
Hall is also the junior high swimming coach.
The Clinton County Community Foundation awarded $72,631 in competitive grants during the second half of 2017. Combined with the first half total of $92,000, this brings the total of competitive grants awarded to $164,631 for the year.