The water has always been good to Brian Schroeder.
As a child, he grew up near a neighborhood pool and started competitive swimming at five years old. He would become a lifeguard and teach the occasional swim lesson as a teenager.
When it was time to go to college, Schroeder took a chance and left his hometown of Sugar Land to join the men’s swim team at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where he would meet his future wife Kelly, who was then a member of the women’s swim team.
Now, Schroeder is looking to share his love of swimming by opening a swimming center in Odessa.
“This is something I feel like I was called to step up and be the person to get it going,” Schroeder said.
The proposed Permian Basin Swim School has a goal of opening in 2025 with a proposed location on Billy Hext Road.
Having worked on the project for more than a year, Schroeder is planning a fundraiser to raise money.
Scheduled for Aug. 23 at Milson’s Legends Honky Tonk Saloon, 6900 Sleepy Hollow St., the event will include dinner, an open bar, live music and a silent auction.
Tickets for sponsorship levels at $5,000, $3,000 and $1,500 are still available and include advertising options and swim lessons. Schroeder said individual tickets sold in pairs could also become available.
He said the response from friends and community members has been overwhelming.
“The way they’ve given me advice and putting their hard-earned dollars behind something I’m starting … makes me want to do the best I can do,” Schroeder said.
If you go
- What: Permian Basin Swim School benefit.
- When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 23.
- Where: Milson’s Legends Honky Tonk Saloon, 6900 Sleepy Hollow St.
- Cost: Sponsorships are available for tables (seat eight) at $5,000, $3,000, and $1,500 levels. A pair of individual tickets is available for purchase upon request.
- For more information, reach out to Brian Schroeder at [email protected]
