A joint swim team for Whitefish and Columbia Falls high schools finally has local approval.

The Whitefish and Columbia Falls school boards have both given their approval for the cooperative agreement to form the team. The Wave has also approved the use of its pool for practice for the team.

Last year, a group of swimming supporters first approached both schools about creating a swim team, but the details couldn’t be worked out in time for this school year.

Now, the team will have to apply for approval with the Montana High School Association for inclusion as a state-sanctioned sport.  

The swim season will run from mid-November to mid-February. The team will be for both boys and girls and is expected to have about a dozen swimmers.

Columbia Falls is considered the sponsor of the team with Whitefish joining as a cooperative. This means the Columbia Falls district will employ the coach and oversee the team funds. Under the agreement, both schools athletic directors will be involved in hiring coaches.

The cost of the swim team will be covered through private fundraising done by the team members and parents. Estimated costs are $8,000 to $12,000.