The intent of the discussions is to identify what a path forward for a combined swim club would look like. That being said, there is much to be discussed. These discussions will began in September, include coaching staff from both swim clubs, and will continue over the next year. Families will be kept informed and provided opportunities for input/feedback during the coming year.

Updated 3/17/23

Based on the planning meetings that have been taking place with coaches since September, our meetings with superintendents of both districts and our discussions with both the Parkway and Rockwood Boards of Education, it is our intent to continue moving forward with planning for a combined swim club and learn-to-swim program based on the following timeline:

• Learn-to-swim programs: The two learn-to-swim-programs (Parkway Swim School and Rockwood swim lesson program) would be combined starting with swim lesson sessions in August 2023.

• Swim Clubs: Both the Parkway and Rockwood swim clubs would continue to operate as separate programs through the 2023-24 swim season, with a combined program scheduled to begin in August 2024.

There is still much work to be done. Here is what you can expect in the coming months:

• Parkway and Rockwood Swim Club coaches will continue with planning as we work to achieve the timelines listed above.

• We will meet with leadership of the Parkway and Rockwood swim clubs’ parent associations to talk about their status in a collective future.   

• As we near the start for the combined learn-to-swim (August 2023) and swim club (August 2024) programs, we anticipate holding open houses for families to learn more about these programs and meet with staff. More details on these events will be provided as dates/locations are finalized.

A key outcome of a combined club would be to embrace the outstanding experience and talents from coaches of both clubs, and bring them together to create something even better. The coaches from both clubs will be working together over the next year to identify the best coaching strategies possible. 

Updated 3-17-23
The coaches from both clubs have been working together since September and believe that coaching styles are more alike overall than different. That being said, a key outcome of a combined club would be to embrace the outstanding experience and talents from the coaches of both clubs, and bring them together to create an enhanced experience for swimmers.

A combined club would be founded on the outstanding traditions and cultures of both clubs. Understanding and honoring what makes each club unique while identifying a shared path forward is important. 

Updated 3-17-23
The coaches from both clubs have been working together since September and believe that the club cultures are more alike overall than different. That being said, understanding and honoring what makes each club unique while identifying a shared path forward is important to both clubs. That sentiment will continue to be factored into the planning process. 

A key outcome of a combined club would be to provide families with the option to choose from more practice locations and times, not less. The coaches from both clubs will be working together over the next year to identify the best practice schedule and structure possible. This work will also include research of other similar-sized clubs around the country to understand how they operate and to determine if any of their operational methods could apply.

Updated on 12/21/22: Coaches from both the Parkway Swim Club and Rockwood Swim Club have agreed that if the swim clubs were to combine, the shared resources (coaches, pools, etc.) as a result of combining could provide a variety of locations and times to provide a quality experience for swimmers.

Updated 3/17/23
The coaches from both clubs have been working together to identify the best practice schedule and structure possible. During these discussions, the coaches agreed that adding one to three levels of groups in a combined club would allow swimmers to be placed into groups with more similarity in ability levels across the group, resulting in a better training/development experience. This approach is recommended versus the approach of adding more practice times for the current number of group levels. That being said, the goal remains to provide as many options for parents as possible. This item will continue to be reviewed by coaches while working toward the target time of August 2024 for a combined club.

It is understood that the two swim clubs currently have varying fee schedules. The fee schedule for a combined program will be evaluated during the discussions, and will include involvement of both districts’ finance departments. The goal would be to keep fees as affordable as possible while continuing with both districts’ expectation that all expenses are covered.

Updated 3-17-23
The fee schedule for a combined program continues to be evaluated. It is understood that the two swim clubs currently have varying fee schedules, with Rockwood Swim Club fees higher on average. This is due in part to Rockwood Swim Club coach pay levels typically being higher. 

Both Parkway and Rockwood Swim Clubs will need to increase fees in coming years regardless of whether or not the combined club moves forward due to continued increases in operating and staff expenses.

In a combined club, the goal is to keep fees as affordable as possible while continuing with both districts’ expectation that all expenses are covered. That being said, the initial rate increase impact would vary for families in a combined setting given the current difference in fee structure of each club.

There are many great things currently happening within both clubs, and the goal would be to bring these forward in a combined program while adding in new opportunities for swimmers. While the discussions will reveal how a combined club would ultimately look, benefits could include:

• A larger coaching staff with a variety of knowledge and experience working together to share best practices
• Additional opportunities for swimmers to receive coaching support, regardless of their swimming ability or performance level
• Additional practice locations/times allowing families to choose the schedule that best fits their needs (may vary by level due to nature of program)
• A stronger overall financial position for the long-term, which could help with coach attraction/retention. In addition, strong financials could increase the ability to sustain potential disruptions in operations in the future that may be caused by outside forces
• A higher club profile nationally, which could benefit swimmers who desire to swim at the college level

UPDATED 3/7/23: At the most recent meeting, coaches of both clubs have identified another potential benefit to combining the swim clubs.

• Increased competitiveness at all levels when it comes to both practices and meets.

Here is an overview of the current timeline:

• Swim Clubs: Both Parkway and Rockwood Swim Clubs will continue to operate as separate programs during the 2022-23 swim season. Discussions will begin in August and continue over the next year. At this time, the timeline would be to move forward with a combined program for the 2023-24 season. The timeline would be subject to change if the need to do so is identified.
• Learn-to-swim programs: The two learn-to-swim programs (Parkway Swim School and SwimAmerica) would be combined on a timeline that is determined during discussions and could be prior to the 2023-24 season.

Updated on 1/30/23

The swim club coaches have been meeting since September and have agreed on a revised timeline if the decision is made to move forward:

• Swim Clubs: Both Parkway and Rockwood Swim Clubs will continue to operate as separate programs through the 2023-24 swim season, with a combined program starting in August 2024.
• Learn-to-swim programs: The two learn-to-swim programs (Parkway Swim School and SwimAmerica) would be combined starting with swim lesson sessions in August 2023.

Discussions are scheduled to begin in August and continue over the next year. The extensive knowledge of both clubs' coaching staff is valued and they will be an integral part of the discussions.

Updated on 9/16/22: The first meeting, which included full-time coaches from Parkway Swim Club and Rockwood Swim Club, was held on Sept. 13, 2022. This meeting provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about one another, gain a common understanding of the purpose of the group’s work and talk about the process that will be used in meetings going forward.This group will continue to meet twice a month for the remainder of the school year (meeting schedule is subject to change).

Updated on 12/21/22: At this time, discussions remain ongoing between the two clubs regarding any potential possibilities. 

A key outcome of a combined club would be to provide more opportunities for swimmers to receive coaching support, not less. The coaches from both clubs will be working together over the next year to identify a structure that would ensure the highest quality coaching structure possible. This work will also include research of other similar-sized clubs around the country to understand how they operate and to determine if any of their operational methods could apply.

Updated 12/21/22: Coaches from both the Parkway Swim Club and Rockwood Swim Club agree this issue is important and key to the success of a potential combined club. Coaches will continue discussing this issue to ensure that the knowledge and expertise of the coaches in a combined club would remain a central component. If the school districts do move forward with the decision to combine the swim clubs, this would mean the creation of a shared number of resources (coaches, pools, etc.) 

In June 2022, Parkway School District, which operates Parkway Swim Club, expressed interest in engaging in discussions about a combined swim club. Around the same time, changes at Rockwood Swim Club had created a need for future planning within that program. As a result, the districts agreed to begin a process to discuss a collective future for the swim clubs.

The districts believe there could be an opportunity to build upon the storied success of both clubs and provide an enhanced experience for swimmers while creating a premier program in St. Louis, the Ozark Region (LSC) and nationally within USA Swimming. 

Yes. Families will be kept informed of the discussions and provided opportunities for input/feedback during the coming year. In addition, an electronic form has been created where feedback can be provided at any time. While information submitted through the form may not receive individual replies, the information will be reviewed as it is received. Submit feedback now.

It is expected that all coaches would remain in a combined swim club. If a coach were to leave, that position would be reviewed to determine if any changes were needed at that time.

A key outcome of a combined club would be to provide more opportunities for all swimmers, regardless of their ability or performance level. The coaches from both clubs will be working together over the next year to identify the best structure that would ensure the highest quality coaching possible is provided to all swimmers. This work will also include research of other similar-sized clubs around the country to understand how they operate and to determine if any of their operational methods could apply.

This is a very important question. The coaches from both clubs will be working together over the next year to identify a competition structure that would allow swimmers to have as many, or more, opportunities to attend swim meets. This work will also include research of other similar-sized clubs around the country to understand how they operate and to determine if any of their operational methods could apply.

No. One club would not be taking over the other club. Both clubs would be equal partners in a combined program.