Minnesota Legislature Hopes to Provide Money for Water Safety Grants

(KNSI) – The recent spate of water-related injuries and fatalities, along with community pools staying closed for 2021 due to the lack of lifeguards, is leading the Minnesota State Legislature to include $220,000 for a new water safety grant program as part of the next two year budget.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, cities and county parks and recreation department programs providing swimming lessons for kids. The money can also be used to train lifeguards or water safety instructors. The City of St. Cloud is keeping its pools closed this year. Mayor Dave Kleis said it was a combination of issues that led to the decision. He said that Governor Tim Walz announced the end of COVID-19 restrictions too late, so lifeguard salaries and pool maintenance and operations funding were not in the city budget for 2021. He also said there was a lack of lifeguards available to keep swimmers safe.

Senator Mike Goggin of Red Wing, which is on the Mississippi River, authored the bill, says getting out on the water and enjoying summer in Minnesota is tradition, but it can turn tragic for those who don’t know how to swim. In a statement, Goggin says, “Being a strong swimmer will not end these accidents overnight, but it will be a massive help. If this grant saves even one life it will be worth every penny.”

Over the weekend, four people died in five water-related emergencies. That number included an 18-year-old man who died at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve on Saturday and a nine-year-old boy who died by drowning at his birthday party in Woodbury. The number of water-related fatalities in 2021 is 25, including five children.

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