A Mount Isa swim school has opened a new pool in town to teach children who don't have their own pool how to swim.
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Miss Julie's Swim School owner, Julie Spreadborough, has received the final tick of approval from Mount Isa City Council to conduct swimming lessons at her new swimming pool at 21 Hilary Street.
Ms Spreadborough said this project was three years in the making and she was excited to share this new facility with local clients.
"The business started off with the mobile swim school, going to residents home and teaching kids to swim, but we wanted a place for families to visit who didn't have their own pools," she said.
"While we have been holding group classes at Splashez Aquatic Centre with an agreement with Council, we have also built our own, 12 metre by 7 metre, timber, private pool, which opened in September."
Ms Spreadborough said due to the high demand of hundreds of students, classes would continue to be held between both facilities.
"Classes at our new facility are held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons; and we also have classes at Splashez," she said.
"We are in the process of putting on more staff so we can be running classes at both centres at the same time.
"It is awesome to have our own facility and great that we have a back up plan if anything ever happens."
Ms Spreadborough said the project had been heavily supported by local tradies and families.
"The timber pool was built here by a local builder and used other local trades. A lot of family helped me do this too so it was a big family affair," she said.
"The response from families who have used the facility has been awesome, there are a lot of families excited to use the new pool."
Ms Spreadborough said that COVID-19 had impacted the business, but since reopening had received a growing intake of students.
"There are a lot of kids enrolled this year, about 370," she said.
"Since COVID-19 hit and we closed in March, we are thankful that families have been happy to come back to lessons.
"We were grateful that we received the approvals for the new pool in June-July and opened in September, just in time for us to start back post-COVID-19.
"We worked on our COVID Safe plans and the swim school associations consistently provided updates and information to us."
An influx of student enrollments has resulted in Ms Spreadborough requiring more teachers.
"Thankfully families were not deterred by coming back to lessons. We have all the signs, sanitiser and everything needed with our COVID Safe and everyone is being compliant.
"However we are fully booked this term, but we have a waiting list which will secure spots as our new teachers come on board soon.
"If we cannot provide a spot we will put them in holiday intensive blocks."
Contact Julie Spreadborough for more information regarding classes by emailing missjuliesmobileswimschool@gmail.com
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