An entrepreneur, angered by the drowning death of a young boy in 2021, decided to offer free swimming lessons to children in downtown Quebec, and enrollments have since exploded.
This warm impulse has so far allowed 750 children aged 6 months to 15 years to jump into the water and learn the basics of swimming in the new swimming pool of the YMCA Saint-Roch.
Project initiator Geneviève Marcon, co-president of GM Développement and owner of toy store Benjo, saw for himself this morning that her $50,000 investment was paying off.
Photo Louis Deschenes
Genevieve Marcon
“Honestly, I never thought that we would end up having more than 700 children […] “I see fathers and mothers with their children in the pool today and it touches me,” said the businesswoman.
Additionally, given its success, she would like other entrepreneurs to invest in the Quebec region to ensure the sustainability of her initiative.
financial reality
The Saint-Roch YMCA executive director admits free swimming lessons have had a huge impact on enrollments.
“There are definitely financial realities […] We know there are families in the neighborhood for whom registration costs can be a barrier,” he notes.
The parents Le Journal met all wore big smiles and acknowledged Ms Marcon’s generosity. Such is the case of Frédéric-Charles, who accompanied his daughter Clara-Jade, 7, from the swimming pool.
“We benefited from this measure in two swimming sessions […] “It’s an extra incentive,” the father admits, reassured when he sees his children developing new skills in the water.
Photo Louis Deschenes
Thanks to the generosity of Geneviève Marcon, 750 children can take free swimming lessons at the Saint-Roch YMCA swimming pool.
save lives
As Quebec Boating Safety Week begins tomorrow, this initiative has been welcomed by everyone in the industry, including Raynald Hawkins, executive director of the Life Saving Society.
According to statistics, children aged 9 and under account for the largest proportion of drowning cases at 80%.
As of May 18, the Life Saving Society had registered 18 cases of drowning, compared to 8 cases on the same day last year.
“Swimming is one of the few sports, the only hobbies that can save your life. So Ms. Marcon and the fund make it possible to save lives,” concludes Rosalie Allard-Proulx, water activities coordinator at the YMCA Saint-Roch.