South Sutter Recreation Association (SSRA) promotes wellness, health and public safety for all in South Sutter County through water safety education and physical recreation activities
About us
SSRA Mission Statement
SSRA promotes wellness, health and public safety for all in South Sutter County through water safety education and physical recreation activities. We provide:
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Swimming lessons and drowning prevention education
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Youth lifeguard training and leadership skills development
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Injury prevention and recreation therapy for older adults, and
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Physical fitness opportunities for families and community members
Generations of families have turned to SSRA to help their children learn to be safe from drowning and to enjoy being physically active in the water. SSRA hosts swimming lessons for children of all ages, as well as daily swimming for all, and adult swims and aqua aerobics in the evenings. More than 2,000 community members come through our doors and to our park each year.
Our History
In the early 1950s, the residents of Nicolaus and the surrounding areas were swimming in the local rivers that surround the community. After several children had drowned in a short period of time, the local farmers got together and decided to help build a pool for the community to use as a safe way to enjoy the water. These farmers donated the use of their land to be used for pheasant hunts each year. Hundreds of people from out of the community paid to come on these hunts and all of the proceeds from these hunts went directly to the SSRA. In addition, the Schwall family donated the land for the park, pool and hall and in the deed, it is stated that as long as the property benefits the youth of the community, it will remain the property of the SSRA.
For decades, the SSRA has been the sight of End-of-School-Year swim parties, 4-H meetings, school dances, synchronized swimming team practices, night swims, water zumba, horseshoe tournaments, yoga, and many family gatherings and parties. The schools and nonprofits that used the facility were never charged a rental fee. For such a rural area, it is incredibly rare to have a pool and recreation facilities like this.