By Mya Cowper – Contributor

In November of 2024, Bishop’s Swimming Club was created. The goal of the club is to strengthen Bishop’s community through sport, while giving students better access to a seemingly underused space: the on-campus swimming pool!

Did you know that Bishop’s University is home to a beautifully renovated, six lane, 25-meter pool… yet Bishop’s students hardly ever use it? While the pool gets great use from the surrounding community of Lennoxville, for Bishop’s students, the access is limited. 

Beyond the occasional rental by a student-run club or a Bishop’s Gaiters sports team, the swimming pool is currently available to students (as well as the community of Lennoxville) every weekday from 11am to 1pm for lane swims, and for open swims; Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 7 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

The current schedule – offering only two hours of lane swimming during midday – makes it quite difficult for Bishop’s students to take advantage of this resource. Between a busy schedule of classes, work, and other commitments, it’s impossible for most students to access this narrow opportunity. 

This lack of access isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a missed opportunity for the University to foster student engagement, improve mental health, and grow the on-campus community through sport. Bishop’s Swimming Club is here to help. 

Starting out with a “trial run” this past November, Bishop’s Swimming Club made it abundantly clear that they were here to stay. At the end of the month, I met with a fellow student, Breanna Cooney, to discuss her experience with the club so far. When asked about her favorite part of the club, she said: “how everyone cheers each other on and supports each other.” She also enjoyed the fact that the practices are “go-at-your-own-pace” while still being structured. I believe inclusivity and a sense of community are vital aspects of a successful club in any sport. 

Thanks to a generous amount of donations, this semester, the swim club will be able to meet every Thursday at 8am and every Sunday at 4pm, giving students access to the pool outside of their class schedules. Students also have the opportunity to choose to participate either twice a week, for a one-time payment of 60$ per semester or once a week for a lower rate of 40$. 

The Bishop’s Swimming Club is about more than just swimming laps. It’s about giving students the access they deserve to our beautiful, on-campus pool. It’s about strengthening the bonds within our student body. It’s a way to de-stress in between classes, stay fit, and make lasting connections with fellow students. 

Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness or simply find a new way to connect with others, the Bishop’s Swimming Club has something to offer. 

Mya Cowper is a co-lead of the Bishop’s Swimming Club