Medford — Representatives of the Rogue Rapid swim team told the City Council on June 4 that the club has rapidly expanded since the opening of the Rogue X facility and that a $10,000 CCIF contribution from the city has helped to expand scholarships and reduce cost barriers.

Participation and performance
Dr. Laurel Naverson Garrity, vice president of the Rogue Rapid Swim Team, said the team started with 50 swimmers at the Rogue X opening and more than doubled to a steady 103 swimmers; peak season enrollment reached about 130. Several swimmers have qualified for junior nationals, regional championships and have national rankings.

Scholarships and costs
The group said the city’s CCIF and council contributed $10,000 to name scholarships honoring a late swimmer. The team shifted scholarship support to cover initiation fees, USA Swimming membership and meet travel stipends (a $100/day stipend for away meets) and raised scholarship award levels up to a 75% reduction in dues. The club reported it expects that monthly dues for 12 scholarship swimmers for a year would total $10,692 and that all related costs (dues, membership, meet stipends) for a 12‑swimmer cohort could reach about $19,000 annually.

Council comments
Councilors praised the program’s role in expanding access to swim lessons and competitive opportunities and its potential to drive sports tourism when the team hosts meets that attracted hundreds of visiting swimmers and families.