New partnership with the Trust

Stretford ASC has formally agreed to work in partnership with Trafford Leisure Trust, a deal which should help the transition for swimmers between Trafford’s Swim Well lessons and the Club and between the Club and the Swim Trafford swimming squad.

The Trust has agreed to support us with publicity and there will be a board going up in the leisure centre reception soon – all part of the Trust’s push to raise the profile of all the swimming clubs in Trafford and aquatics sports in general.

The deal, which took effect from September, means we agree to work in partnership with Trafford Leisure Trust along with the other three Trafford clubs – Altrincham, Trafford Mets and Flixton.

As part of the deal, the Club has agreed to share its pool time for part of the Tuesday and Friday sessions. This means the Trust will run lessons while Stretford ASC swim. This should allow swimmers taking part in Swim Well lessons to see what the Club does, become familiar with our coaches and encourage them to join the club when they have achieved stage seven.

In return, the Trust has agreed to help us with marketing the Club. There will be a board in the reception area for the Club’s use along with one of the boards we currently use by the changing rooms.  The Trust is also going to help us produce a leaflet advertising the club to potential swimmers.

Plans are currently being drawn to replace the seating in the spectators’ gallery and to review the lighting for the pool. We have received a grant for some money towards replacing the diving blocks and the Trust is trying to identify some extra funds to allow this to happen.

But the partnership arrangement also means that the pool hire rates for the next three years have been set – and they represent a significant increase in pool-hire cost.

These extra costs will be real challenge for the Club to meet, so we need to bring in more money to keep the club financially viable.

This can only be done either by increasing the price of sessions or by attracting new members.

Clearly, we would prefer to address this shortfall by increasing our numbers and we are looking for ways to do this. But there is a real possibility that we will have to increase rates for sessions as well.

This will only be done if there are no other options and we will keep you informed.

In the meantime, we are appealing to all swimmers and their families to think of ways of increasing membership – any ideas will be very much appreciated!

We may also be asking for leaflets to be distributed at schools – volunteers for leafleting welcome.

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