In collaboration with Sandusky City Schools, the Sandusky Education Foundation is raising funds to build a new aquatic center at Sandusky High School. We see this project as an opportunity to transform the current single pool at Sandusky High School into a larger aquatic center serving both students and residents throughout Erie County.
We are conducting a $10.9 million capital campaign for the project and have raised 80% of our goal. With your support, we hope to conclude the campaign by the year end of 2022, at which time construction of the new facility will begin, with the grand opening anticipated in the 2023-2024 school year.
Sandusky Education Foundation Board Chair Jim Hart and Sandusky High School swimmers
Support the Capital Campaign
You can donate online or download the mail-in donation form for the Sandusky Aquatic Center Capital Campaign.
If you have any questions, please call 419-370-3770 or email bhanck@sanduskyef.org.
Access to Aquatics Endowment Fund
A portion of donations to the Sandusky Education Foundation will be invested in an Access to Aquatics Endowment Fund for long-term pool-related maintenance and community access to aquatic programs.
Swan Club synchronized swimming annual show
Click here to download the donation form for the Aquatics Endowment Fund.
Aquatic Center Programming
The Sandusky Aquatic Center is owned and operated by the Sandusky City Schools for the benefit of its students, faculty, and for school-sponsored programs and activities. The district has generously offered community access for aquatic recreational, educational and health programs as well.
“Community” is defined as the general public, without restriction related to residency. “Accessibility” refers to inclusive programming and open swim opportunities for individuals of all ages, all abilities, and all income levels, at times that are convenient for participants. With community access comes community responsibility. A fee-based structure that is affordable for all community members who use the pool will help offset additional costs associated with community-based programs.
The #1 reason to build the new Aquatic Center is to teach children how to swim, and to prevent drowning and near drowning accidents. In 2020, Ohio ranked 4th in the nation in childhood drowning. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children under the age of four. Youth under the age of 14 account for 25% of all deaths by drowning in the U.S. Three out of four children who drown are boys. The risk of drowning for a child increases in certain circumstances. Children with disabilities, those who are minorities, and those who live at poverty levels are at a much greater risk of drowning.
We are fortunate to be living on the shores of a beautiful Great Lake. The need to ensure our young residents learn to swim and to stay safe in the water is essential. As a part of their physical education program, all Sandusky City Schools’ third graders will learn to swim during the school day. Additional learn to swim opportunities will be offered to children of all ages with after school and summer programs.
Public pools are often widely used by adults, and particularly older adults, for health-related programs. By 2030, 20% of US citizens will be over the age of 65. Erie County’s population of individuals aged 65 and older is 31% (already higher than the national average) and expected to increase to 35% by 2030. Staying healthy is directly related to independent living for older adults. Adult aquatic health programs will include lap swimming, water therapy and exercise, fall prevention, learn to swim, strength training and other educational classes for our seniors and other adults.
