City of West Bend, WI receives 50 AOAP Life Jackets

The City of West Bend, WI received 50 life jackets through the Association of Aquatic Professional’s grant program.

“The City of West Bend, WI Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department is honored to be a 2023 recipient of the AOAP’s Lifejacket Grant. Prior to receiving this grant lifejacket safety was discussed as a part of our swimming lesson curriculum, however there were physically none available for use. The city of West Bend has roughly 300 swimming lesson participants annually. Being able to get lower-level swimming lesson participants into lifejackets will greatly benefit our swimming lessons in the future. After one week of incorporating the lifejackets into our swimming lesson I can tell that they will be a popular component, all of the kids were very excited to use them!

In addition to the lifejackets being used during swimming lessons, the City of West Bend operates Regner Beach, a 2.5 acre man-made, sand-bottom swimming pond during the summer months. On average Regner Beach has 20,000 annual visits, the majority of which are families using the ‘Kids Zone’ which is zero depth – 4’. Similar to our swimming lessons, there were not any PFDs on-site for use before being awarded this grant. We are excited to loan lifejackets to those in need beginning this summer! Having the ability to do so will be a tremendous benefit not only to those in need of a PFD, but the staff of Regner Beach as well.

Thanks again to the AOAP for all that they do and for selecting the City of West Bend for this grant!”

Ryan Schmidt

Recreation Supervisor – City of West Bend