Beaumont Swimming is expanding and rebranding.
Effective immediately, the swim club is changing its name to Triton Swimming and taking over competitive swimming in all of Leduc County, including the Leduc Otters.
"Leduc's been struggling for the last four years trying to retain their coaches," said Matt Bowkowy, director of the very successful Beaumont Swimming. "They approached me at the end of August to see if I could offer any assistance or give any insight. Based on the numbers in the program and a steady decline in membership over the last few years, I suggested that we look to rebrand the program and join forces with my program in Beaumont. "
Bowkowy, who started his coaching career in Leduc in 2000, has taken over the position of director of swimming for the former Otters, and NCCP Level 3 coach Richard Millns has been hired to coach Leduc's competitive swimmers.
"We want to make sure the name is associated with quality individuals and (Millns) is a great addition to the program," said Bowkowy.
Beaumont Swimming started with 17 swimmers in 2009 and grew to almost 60 members within two years.
"Under the right guidance I have no doubt that the program we offer in Leduc will grow even larger based on the quality of the facility and the greater population," said Bowkowy.
Current members of Beaumont Swimming won't see any major changes due to the merger.
"The big things is that we'll have more kids at swim meets, which will create that much more excitement and that many more opportunities for the kids," said Bowkowy. "Next year we'll look at doing full team practices here or in Leduc or alternating between the two."
Final membership numbers for the upcoming season at Beaumont Swimming won't be known until trials take place in the last week of September, but the club is nearing capacity and the merger with Leduc might free up a few spaces.
"We have a few kids from Leduc that swam with us last year so this will give them the opportunity to swim closer to home if they so desire," said Bowkowy.