Pullman Community Saves City's Barracuda Swim Team

Private donations and sponsorships raised $11,000 to keep the popular youth program running this summer.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:58pm

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An impressionistic, blurred scene of children swimming and playing in a pool, captured in soft, warm-toned colors and light, conveying the joyful energy of a community-based swim program.A community's quick action to save an affordable youth swim program demonstrates the value of recreational activities for local families.Pullman Today

The Pullman community has stepped up to save the Barracuda Swim Team program offered by the City of Pullman. After the city announced the kids swim program would be cut this summer due to budget constraints, local residents and businesses raised nearly $11,000 through private donations and sponsorships to keep the program running, albeit with fewer paid coaches and shorter practices.

Why it matters

The Barracuda Swim Team is a beloved community program that provides affordable access to swimming lessons and competitive swim training for local youth. Its potential cancellation due to budget cuts would have been a major loss for many Pullman families. The community's quick mobilization to save the program demonstrates the value residents place on maintaining recreational activities and youth development opportunities.

The details

In early April, the City of Pullman's parks and recreation department announced the Barracuda Swim Team program would be cut this summer to help balance the city's multi-million dollar budget shortfall. However, community members rallied to raise nearly $11,000 through private donations and sponsorships to keep the program running. While the swim team will operate this summer, it will have fewer paid coaches and shorter practice times.

  • The city announced the Barracuda Swim Team program would be cut in early April 2026.
  • The community fundraising effort took place over the following weeks.
  • The Barracuda Swim Team program details will be announced in the city's Summer Activity Guide on April 13, 2026.
  • Registration for the Barracuda Swim Team opens on April 16, 2026.

The players

Meghan Ferrin

A spokeswoman for the City of Pullman's parks and recreation department.

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What they’re saying

“Community members have stepped up to save the program. Private donations and sponsorships have raised nearly 11,000 dollars for the Barracuda Swim Team.”

— Meghan Ferrin, City of Pullman Parks and Recreation Spokeswoman

What’s next

The Barracuda Swim Team program details will be announced when the City of Pullman releases its Summer Activity Guide on April 13, 2026. Registration for the swim team will open on April 16, 2026.

The takeaway

The Pullman community's quick mobilization to save the beloved Barracuda Swim Team program demonstrates the value residents place on maintaining affordable youth recreational activities, even in the face of municipal budget constraints.